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1. Classroom Techniques: - Nonstop Writing

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article offers Nonstop Writing as a classroom activity to help students overcome the anxiety that can come with composition in a second language. Nonstop Writing is defined as timed, ungraded writing on an assigned topic. The author describes how to carry out and use this activity.

2. Classroom Techniques: - English for Fools

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article describes a lesson that can be used on April Fool’s day to bring humor to the classroom. The writer explains how the translation of proverbs about fools can be used for a discussion and offers ideas about the teaching of these proverbs, such as exploring themes or looking at the definition of “fool” in each saying.

3. Graphing Activity Student Survey

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article shows how a learner poll can become a graphing activity for students. The author gives the reasons for using graphing activities as well as instructions for warm-up activities, graphing, and follow-up activities for a unit on sports. The author also provides ideas for using graphs with other themes.

4. Maximizing the Benefits of Project Work in Foreign Language Classrooms

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   There are many benefits to using project work in the classroom, such as student autonomy, increased content knowledge, and motivation. This article gives ten steps for structuring project activities to maximize these benefits, using a case study on project-based learning in an English preparatory program in Turkey. Also included are recommendations for writers on how to include project-based learning in their materials.

5. Teacher Resources

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This section offers brief reviews of two commercial publications. The first is Academic Success for English Language Learners: Strategies for K-12 Mainstream Teachers, a collection of suggestions appropriate for ESL, EFL and mainstream teachers edited by Patricia A. Richard-Amato and Marguerite Ann Snow. The other publication is Making It Happen: From Interactive to Participatory Language Teaching, a book by Patricia A. Richard-Amato with practical ideas for getting students to participate more in the classroom.

6. Shall We Dance: Team Teaching as Supervision in the English Language Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This article compares team teaching to a dance in which leadership shifts from partner to partner. It argues for the use of team teaching as an effective and motivating means of professional development. The author shares his experience in team teaching and offers a list of steps that can be used to establish and maintain team teaching that is effective for both the professionals and their students, such as when to involve students and when to trade roles.

7. The Mini Conference: Creating Localized Opportunities for Professional Development

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This article explains the concept of a mini-conference: a localized, cost-effective alternative for those who are unable to attend international conferences. The author shares his experience at a mini-conference and describes the benefits of this event, such as networking and giving teachers an opportunity to prepare presentations of their work. Also included are step-by-step instructions to follow for organizing a conference of your own.

8. Classroom Techniques: Unleashing Writing Creativity in Students

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This article argues for free, creative writing in the L2 classroom. The author states that because writing can be stressful and at times paralyzing, the goal of L2 writing should not be to produce perfect, error-free work. The teacher should be a coach, dictionary, and grammar book. The author includes creative writing activities.

9. Classroom Techniques: Some Communicative Activities Based on Overhead Projectors

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This article offers sample activities that use an overhead projector. These activities encourage students to use the target language while recalling information they have already learned. Activities include making shapes on the projector for discussion, manipulating objects to practice prepositions, and creating dialogues.

10. NASCAR: An American Sport and Pastime

    In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 4 Format(s): Text

    This article, written for students, is about NASCAR, a popular auto racing sport in the United States. It offers the history of the sport, interesting pictures, and a piece on the importance of a pit crew. There is also a profile of Jeff Gordon, a popular and winning driver. Also included are a list of NASCAR vocabulary and websites of interest, an overview of the sport and its rules, and information on three legendary drivers.

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