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1. "Mix It Up! Mingle Away!"

   In: English Teaching Forum, Volume 60, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   Laura Loder Buechel presents innovative twists on the familiar technique of “mingling,” suggesting creative ways that you can use mingles to have students tell and listen to jokes, find partners, give compliments, and more—with additional tips for getting the most out of the mingles you use.

2. Turning Logic-Grid Puzzles into a Communicative Activity

   In: English Teaching Forum 2022, Volume 60, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   The author, Gavin Young, offers a detailed guide showing how to create custom-made logic-grid puzzles and how to present and use them in class to promote learners’ speaking, listening, and thinking skills. The author uses an original puzzle he created as a working example throughout the article.

3. Bear Fights: An Ursine Introduction to Debating in the EFL Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2023, Volume 61, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   Author Charlie Taylor describes a simple yet clever technique to introduce students to “debating” in a fun, creative way. Read the article to learn how “bears with superpowers” can help your students learn and practice basic principles of debating.   

4. The Happiness Game: A Board Game for Almost Any Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2023, Volume 61, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   Daniel Clausen created The Happiness Game in part because he believes that “teaching should be a happy profession and that students should come out of the classroom with a smile.” The article includes a game board and sample game cards—although teachers and students are encouraged to create more of their own. The game is adaptable for multiple learning levels and is designed to give students practice in English … and, of course, to make them happy.

5. Hidden Pictures: An Integrated Speaking and Listening Activity

   In: English Teaching Forum 2024, Volume 62, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   Author Heather Gaddis provides a detailed, step-by-step description of an original activity in which students examine and describe pictures that are similar to one another. The author includes suggestions for adapting the activity for different purposes and for integrating themes—which teachers can choose—into the activity for targeted practice.

6. Matching Auditory Description with Visual Objects in an Interactive Setting

   In: English Teaching Forum 2024, Volume 62, Number 4 Format(s): Text, Image / Poster / Maps

   Author Monisha Biswas presents an engaging activity that gives students practice in describing objects, listening to classmates’ descriptions, and identifying the objects being described. The article offers options for adapting the activity, which can develop learners’ overall language skills.

7. The Collaborative Scaffolding Model of Teaching Speaking

   In: English Teaching Forum 2024, Volume 62, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This article, by Krishna Prasad Parajuli, describes a step-by-step activity in which students work in groups to begin, develop, and share stories they create. Teachers can also use the approach with debates, speeches, interviews, and other speaking genres as students enhance their speaking, listening, and collaborating skills.

8. Using Original Video and Sound Effects to Teach English

   In: English Teaching Forum 2012, Volume 50, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This article outlines a lesson plan for teaching modals of speculation that express degrees of certainty, using audio-visual techniques. It identifies the teacher's lesson preparation, required materials, and specific ways to engage students in the special interactive environment. It highlights the effectiveness of audio-visual resources to represent and illustrate abstract concepts. The article also provides ideas for variations of the lesson plan, employing video and sound effects to teach grammar, vocabulary, and creative writing.

9. Lessons from the Other Side of the Teacher’s Desk: Discovering Insights to Help Language Learners

   In: English Teaching Forum 2011, Volume 49, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   An EFL instructor shares ideas on classroom practice after participating in an intensive language program. The author discusses L1 use in the classroom as well as the importance of pronunciation instruction. The article also includes tips on acquiring vocabulary and reasons why pair and group work are good. Finally, the author considers how to support students who may be experiencing communication anxiety as they learn a new language. The article emphasizes a communicative approach and the importance of a friendly classroom environment.

10. Promoting Genre Awareness in the EFL Classroom

    In: English Teaching Forum 2011, Volume 49, Number 2 Format(s): Text

    The author introduces genre awareness, a concept from ESP (English for Specific Purposes) and EAP (English for Academic Purposes), and relates it to its potential use in the EFL (English as a Foreign Language) classroom. She explains genre awareness as the ability to use the communication tool that is most appropriate for the purpose and audience. She recognizes several challenges to using genre awareness curriculum in the EFL classroom. Finally, she presents several useful genre awareness classroom exercises.

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