Site Search

1. Using Letters to Tell Stories in the EFL Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2011, Volume 49, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses how letter writing can be used as authentic language use. An activity for beginners involves an exchange of letters of introduction between the instructor and students. This serves a socially meaningful interactional purpose. The second activity is the construction of an story, one in which the plot is expressed in a series of letters. The writer suggests using letter exchanges for this creative writing project after using books such as The Color Purple. Letter writing is one way to enable and empower students to tell their own stories.

2. To the Moon! — A Launch Pad for Encouraging Students to Express Their Opinions

   In: English Teaching Forum 2011, Volume 49, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   Writing a persuasive essay can be a challenging task. This article outlines an activity that involves developing, communicating, and exploring opinions. Students work individually to select volunteers to go to the moon. Groups then try to agree on the selection, discussing their reasons and assumptions. A number of letter-writing assignments incorporate material from the discussions. This student-centered activity can improve confidence, critical thinking skills, and writing fluency, while students learn from and challenge each other.

3. In the Loop

   Format(s): Text, Image / Poster / Maps

   This book is a wonderful reference guide to American English idioms for your classroom. The book includes idioms and their meanings, a list of idioms by theme, some ready-to-use classroom activities, and a comprehensive index.

4. Classroom Activities

   In: English Teaching Forum 2012, Volume 50, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This "Classroom Activities" features three stand-alone language-learning activity related to the theme of summer.

5. Classroom Activities

   In: English Teaching Forum 2012, Volume 50, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This section presents two stand-alone language-learning activities with an autumn theme. 1. “How Are You, Jack-o-lantern?” is designed for students at the Upper Beginner level and can be used to build vocabulary related to emotions and encourage conversations based on them. 2.”The Incredible Shrinking Dialogue,” for students at the Upper Intermediate level and above, teaches students to analyze a text to find the most important ideas and gives students practice in paraphrasing, speaking, and performing.

6. Instructional Enhancements to Improve Students' Reading Abilities

   In: English Teaching Forum 2013, Volume 51, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This article offers five instructional enhancements that help students become better readers. These classroom practices coincide with five key elements of EFL reading instruction: “extensive practice and exposure to print,” “commitment to building student motivation,” “attention to reading fluency,” “vocabulary building,” and “comprehension skills practice and discussion.”

7. Proverbs & Quotables: Using Very Short Texts in Language Learning

   In: American English Webinars Format(s): Text, Video

   This webinar demonstrates why and how to use short texts in the language classroom. Discover the usefulness of proverbs and actively take part in a range of activities based on very short texts. Watch the online webinar recording and or download the presentation.

8. Unraveling the Mystery of Academic Writing

   In: American English Webinars Format(s): Text, Video

   This webinar aims to raise awareness of the American English academic writing conventions. Watch the webinar recording, download the presentation, and view additional resources.

9. Using Evidence in Academic Writing: Avoiding Plagiarism

   In: American English Webinars Format(s): Text, Video

   This webinar "Using Evidence in Academic Writing: Avoiding Plagiarism" will examine cultural assumptions about the definition of plagiarism and how external sources should be used in academic writing. We will explore how and why EFL/ESL students can benefit from explicit instruction on referencing sources to avoid plagiarism. The presenter will share several practical tips and classroom activities related to teaching quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing.

10. Can't Stop

    In: American Rhythms Format(s): MP3

    This inspirational song by Ozomatli models the type of Latin music that you often hear on American radio stations. The song has influences of both salsa and rock, and combines rhythms from the two genres.

Pages