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1. Ready-to-use Methodology Materials: Breaking the Teacher-Fronted Cycle in the Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This article describes the use of loop input and reflective journals to create a more effective way of teaching and preparing teachers of English-as-a-second-language in Slovakia. The authors of this article, who are also the designers of the technique, discuss how they handled challenges to the course, which included poor student motivation and attendance, and students who expect a teacher-fronted classroom rather than a learner-centered one.

2. Written Peer Response in L2 Writing

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This article argues that peer reviews of student writing should be done in writing and orally, as opposed to only in writing or only orally. Peer reviewing usually addresses the organization and style of student writing. The author discusses eight advantages to managing a peer-review process this way.

3. Testing Writing in the EFL Classroom: Student Expectations

   In: English Teaching Forum 2002, Volume 40, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This article reports on the inconsistency between the expected and actual grades of learners of English as foreign language in freshman English writing classes. It discusses the differences between students’ and instructors’ perceptions of acceptable essay writing. It suggests that teachers develop valid and reliable testing procedures and help students to increase their awareness and understanding of the proficiency levels required to write essays.

4. Using Task Journals with Independent Readers

   In: English Teaching Forum 2002, Volume 40, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses using journal tasks to help intermediate students with the challenges they face when they do independent reading in ESL/EFL reading classes. It describes the design, implementation, and integration of task journals designed to encourage students to think about content, reflection on the reading process, and vocabulary learning.

5. Creating Meaningful Web Pages: A Project-Based Course

   In: English Teaching Forum 2002, Volume 40, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article describes a nine-week course in Web design that can guide students in the production of an electronic project. It discusses the importance of project-based courses in language teaching since they offer learners an opportunity to be creative, control their own learning, and produce something tangible. The article addresses the benefits and difficulties of teaching such a course.

6. Helping Students Develop Coherence in Writing

   In: English Teaching Forum 2002, Volume 40, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses the need to bring coherence in writing from an abstract level to a concrete concept that can be described and taught. Teachers need to teach coherence by sharing its metalanguage with students. This can be done for example by using more specific comments such as “unclear reference” or “inappropriate conjunction” instead of vague ones such as “the essay lacks unity.” The article offers a coherence checklist for students to self-edit and to review their peers’ writing.

7. Poetry Corner: Reading and Reacting to a Michigan Poem

   In: English Teaching Forum 2009, Volume 47, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   “Poetry Corner: Reading and Reacting to a Michigan Poem” consists of activities targeting reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills using a Michigan poem called “How Is It That the Snow,” written by poet Robert Haight, who lives in Michigan.

8. English Prime as an Instructional Tool in Writing Classes

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

   This article discusses a variety of ways to incorporate E-Prime, the idea that all forms of the verb “to be” need to be replaced in writing and speaking. The author shows how this can force ESL and EFL students to improve their writing and make them to spend more time with their essays, to think critically about acceptable grammar and vocabulary, and to search for new vocabulary.

9. Lesson Plan: Seeing Seattle

   In: English Teaching Forum 2008, Volume 46, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This lesson plan contains four main activities and two optional activities based on the feature article about Seattle.

10. Lesson Plan: A Letter from Miami: A Telenovela

    In: English Teaching Forum 2008, Volume 46, Number 3 Format(s): Text

    This lesson plan contains four activities that can prepare students for the final activity of creating a video or a play. There are also two optional activities to help students learn grammar, and a fact sheet about Miami.

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