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1. Beyond the Gap Fill: Dynamic Song Activities for Song in the EFL Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2014, Volume 52, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This author presents variable and stimulating activities using songs to encourage students to connect with language.

2. Using an Asynchronous Video App to Stimulate Spontaneous Oral Interaction

   In: English Teaching Forum 2021, Volume 59, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   The author explains how to use an asynchronous video app, then describes two specific tasks—one collaborative, the other dialogic—that teachers and students can carry out with the app.

3. Using Story Retelling Wheels with Young Learners

   In: English Teaching Forum 2021, Volume 59, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   The author describes how to use “story retelling wheels” as scaffolding devices to support young learners as they develop the important skill of being able to retell stories that they have heard and comprehended.

4. Online Double-Communication Lines to Enhance Student Interaction

   In: English Teaching Forum, Volume 60, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   The author describes ways to bring a popular classroom technique to online environments, showing how to have students form virtual “lines” and then move from partner to partner via a sequence of changing breakout rooms.

5. Eyes On English

   In: English Teaching Forum 2011, Volume 49, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   The author discusses a school-wide campaign to promote the use of English. This six-week campaign, called Eyes on English, was created for Early Childhood and Elementary divisions, but is noted to be flexible for other grade levels. Throughout the article, the author expresses the importance of this program as well as provides a basic activity that can help teachers increase English usage.

6. Twenty Ideas for Using Mobile Phones in the Language Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2010, Volume 48, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   Educators need to learn how best to use the increasingly popular mobile phone technology to support learning in the language classroom. This author outlines the benefits as well as potential problems and solutions of mobile phone use, giving twenty practical ideas for classroom activities, such as using a voice recorder to capture conversations outside the classroom.

7. Reading to Speak: Integrating Oral Communication Skills

   In: English Teaching Forum 2009, Volume 47, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   Although students want to practice speaking English, they do not have many opportunities to do so in the Chinese EFL system. This often results in something called 'mute English.' This article suggests a greater integration of skills through reading to speak activities. The author includes activities for reading to act, reading to debate, and reading to interview. These activities move students away from a focus on form, allowing students to be creative and build fluency.

8. Techniques for Students New to the Language Lab

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article presents techniques that can be used in the university language lab to improve listening and speaking skills. The article describes several tasks for pairs and groups. Lessons begin with a popular English song and a warm up activity. Materials expose students to the formal and informal language of native speakers and fluent non-native speakers. Drills, stories, songs, and conversations make the language lab a beneficial resource. An initial session highlights the unique aspects of spoken language.

9. Authentic Video in the Beginning ESOL Classroom: Using a Full-Length Feature Film for Listening and Speaking Strategy Practice

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 1 Format(s): Text

   Using film in the classroom can be effective with beginning English learners. A full-length film offers continuous context to discuss humor, culture, and language functions, real-life communication with images and non-verbal cues, increased retention due to activating the right hemisphere of the brain, and the lowering of students’ affective filters. The authors include a lesson based on their experience teaching listening and speaking skills using the movie “What about Bob.” Assessment techniques and potential problems are considered.

10. An Integrated Skills Lesson Plan for "A Postcard from America" by Robert Olen Butler

    In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 1 Format(s): Text

    This lesson plan is based on the feature article, “Postcards from America” by Robert Olen Butler. It is appropriate for high intermediate to advanced students. The lesson integrates the four skills and has five parts: Preparing to Read, Reading the Text, Understanding the Text, Making Connections Beyond the Text, and Integrating Language Skills. The lesson includes group discussion of comprehension questions, scanning for vocabulary, and using the dictionary.

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