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1. The Lighter Side of TEFL, Volume 1

   Format(s): Text

   A collection of activities taken from "The Lighter Side," a recurring feature section in English Teaching Forum that first appeared in 1976.

2. 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.

3. Western Culture and the Teaching of English as an International Language

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 2 Format(s): Text

   This article considers the role of culture in the teaching of English as an International Language. There are differing views on whether to include cultural topics in the teaching of English. Educational leaders in some countries have voiced concern over a form of colonization that occurs when Western culture is presented as better than the students’ local culture. The article examines ways that approved textbooks from Chile, Morocco, and Japan present Western values and characters, and suggests that texts could present more characters from countries where English is a second language.

4. An Integrated Skills Lesson Plan for "Maps and Legends" by Michael Chabon

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 2 Format(s): Text

   This lesson plan is based on the article “Maps and Legends” by novelist Michael Chabon and is for high intermediate to advance students. The lesson includes group and pair work. Students discuss the neighborhood where they grew up. They read the text and identify unfamiliar words, then answer comprehension questions in writing or discussion groups. Post-reading activities include scanning, inferring meaning from context, dictionary practice, and discussion questions. The lesson ends with questions to make connections beyond the text and project ideas.

5. The Making of a City

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 2 Format(s): Text

   This article about urban planning is appropriate for advanced learners. The content discusses city planners, planned cities (e.g. Chicago), zoning laws, and high-rise residential districts. There are many images, a glossary, and a list of related websites. There are two short sections. One is about Columbia, Maryland, the subject of another article in this issue (“Maps and Legends”). Columbia was a completely planned, experimental community. The second section is about rebuilding Cabrini Green, a Chicago neighborhood well known for its poverty and crime.

6. Sing Out Loud Traditional Songs

   Format(s): Text

   This CD contains traditional American folk songs. Download songs, lyrics, posters, and activities. Watch a video to get teaching tips!

7. FORUM City Poster Show (Set 1, 12 posters - Full Set)

   Format(s): Text

   These poster sets are a great, flexible classroom resource for information and discussion—each set of three posters corresponds to a city spotlighted in Forum vol. 46 and the feature article about that city, available online.

8. FORUM City Poster Show (Set 6, 3 posters - Chicago)

   Format(s): Image / Poster / Maps

   These poster sets are a great, flexible classroom resource for information and discussion—each set of three posters corresponds to a city spotlighted in English Teaching Forum, Volume 46 and the feature article about that city, available online.

9. "Imported" Communicative Language Teaching: Implications for Local Teachers

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

   This article criticizes the rejection of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) in non-Western contexts. Teachers sometimes avoid CLT because it includes ideas (such as autonomy and choice) that do not always fit with the educational, social, and cultural perspectives of their areas. The author defines CLT, considers the issues that come with importing this teaching method, and offers suggestions to help EFL teachers adapt CLT to their contexts to create genuine communication.

10. A Lot of Days Are Gone

    In: American Rhythms Format(s): MP3, Text

    The song "A Lot of Days Are Gone" from the American Rhythms album blends country music and rhythm & blues to express a typical country music theme. Download or listen online.

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