Advanced Search: Resources

1. Identifying Our Approaches to Language Learning Technologies: Improving Professional Development

   In: English Teaching Forum 2011, Volume 49, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article emphasizes Warschauer's Model, explaining the three positions that researchers working in the field of language technology are concerned about: determinist or technophobe and technophile, instrumental, and critical. The article discusses the importance and application of Warschauer’s Model to professional development, offering ideas for activities and lesson plans related to each position held.

2. Developing Writing

   Format(s): Text

   Developing Writing is a reading and writing skills text designed for beginning to intermediate learners of English.

3. Applying Reading Research to the Development of an Integrated Lesson Plan

   In: English Teaching Forum 2008, Volume 46, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses whole language and phonics approaches to teaching L1 reading. It argues to bring these two perspectives together under an integrated approach to better teach second language reading. The article offers an integrated lesson plan with adaptable activities and techniques that show how to apply the integrated approach.

4. Developing Dynamic Units for EFL

   In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   “Developing Dynamic Units for EFL” describes how to develop a thematic unit that integrates skills in context, provides opportunities for learner autonomy, and is project-based and experiential. Planning includes identifying curriculum standards, thinking of a meaningful topic, brainstorming tasks, organizing the activities, and making use of learner choice. The sample unit “Eating Out with Friends” includes the topics of inviting friends; choosing a restaurant and making a reservation; finding and communicating directions; ordering and requesting the bill; and thanking friends and retelling the story.

5. Three Interactive Alternatives for Developing Reading Fluency

   In: English Teaching Forum 2019, Volume 57, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   Using clear examples and explanations, this article presents three ways for students to interact with peers and with texts to develop reading fluency.

6. Skim, Scan, Run! An Active Approach to Developing Reading Macroskills

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

   This session, "Skim, Scan, Run! An Active Approach to Developing Reading Macroskills," shares a dynamic way to get students out of their seats—in both virtual and face-to-face settings—as they collaborate and communicate with classmates during a reading race that involves a variety of texts.

7. Using Narrow Reading to Develop Fluency

   In: English Teaching Forum 2019, Volume 57, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   The author presents a step-by-step procedure for using narrow reading—“reading several texts about a single, narrow topic”—to promote reading fluency, with examples and suggested variations.

8. Adding Variety to Word Recognition Exercises

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This author discusses an interactive model of reading in which there is a balance in activities between top-down processes and the less common bottom-up processes such as word recognition. The author suggests adding more word recognition activities in L2 reading pedagogy to improve reading efficiency. After identifying the challenges in using these types of activities, the author proposes guidelines for developing materials that incorporate word recognition in an engaging way.

9. Why and How to Teach Collocations

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

   One of the key developments in vocabulary teaching stems from Michael Lewis’s Lexical Approach, which considers language as chunks of words combined for meaning. These frequently occurring word combinations are called collocations. This article points out a number of problems that result from learning words in isolation. Work with meaningful phrases can help improve students’ comprehension and comprehensibility. The article includes reading and listening activities to raise awareness of collocations as well as writing and speaking activities.

10. From Passive Participant to Active Thinker

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

    This article discusses how, through materials development, teachers can help students think critically and feel comfortable enough to be active participants in class. The author suggests adapting materials to be more relevant to the interests and needs of students in a particular context. Another suggestion is to create materials that help students connect their thoughts and feelings to the language they are learning. The author includes techniques to promote critical thinking and learner autonomy.

Pages