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1. VOA Podcasts: Shows in Special English

   Format(s): Website

   Articles and corresponding audio on American Life and history for English learners. Read the articles and listen online, or download free podcasts.

2. 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.

3. Article with Activity: Is Halloween Only Celebrated in America?

   In: VOA Articles with Activities Format(s): Text

   Activities for learning English. Listen to the article and read along. Then test your vocabulary with activities and exercises.

4. TRY THIS Skim, Scan, Run

   In: English Teaching Forum 2018, Volume 56, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   Here is a step-by-step guide to getting students out of their seats and moving around – and skimming and scanning reading texts.

5. African Storybook

   Format(s): Text, Website

   Looking for reading material to teach young learners? These illustrated children’s stories are about the experiences of African children today. There are stories for different levels of English, and you can browse by level or type of story.

6. Story 13: York en Nueva York

   In: Why English? Comics for the Classroom Format(s): MP3, Text

   The stories in Why English? Comics for the Classroom – written by teenagers and young adults – will appeal to learners of all ages. These stories provide an enjoyable opportunity to increase vocabulary, reading comprehension, listening, speaking, and writing.

7. Article with Activity: Free Speech - It is a Guarantee in America

   In: VOA Articles with Activities Format(s): Video, Website

   Activities for learning English. Listen to the article and read along. Then test your vocabulary with activities and exercises.

8. 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.

9. An Integrated Skills Lesson Plan for "For Life's Sake" by Linda Hogan

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 4 Format(s): Text

   This lesson plan is for use with “For Life’s Sake.” After introducing the topic of Native Americans in class discussion, students read the article and identify unfamiliar vocabulary. Students may then read again and discuss comprehension questions. Post-reading activities build vocabulary, including idioms, and utilize dictionary and scanning skills. Questions to make connections beyond the text may be used for discussion or writing assignments. There are other projects that integrate language skills, such as writing a poem, considering family customs, and doing Internet research.

10. English Teaching Forum 2006, Volume 44, Number 1

    Format(s): Text

    This issue features an article on U.S. Poet Laureates and contains contemporary American poems and a lesson plan on reading, writing, and performing poetry. Other articles discuss reading strategies, teaching politically correct language, and using comic strips and radio programs in the classroom.

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