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1. Raising Cultural Awareness in the English Language Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2013, Volume 51, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses how teachers can incorporate cultural knowledge into English language classes, exploring elements of culture, intercultural phenomena, and high-context and low-context cultures.

2. Promoting Genre Awareness in the EFL Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2011, Volume 49, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   The author introduces genre awareness, a concept from ESP (English for Specific Purposes) and EAP (English for Academic Purposes), and relates it to its potential use in the EFL (English as a Foreign Language) classroom. She explains genre awareness as the ability to use the communication tool that is most appropriate for the purpose and audience. She recognizes several challenges to using genre awareness curriculum in the EFL classroom. Finally, she presents several useful genre awareness classroom exercises.

3. Reconceptualizing Interactional Groups: Grouping Schemes for Maximizing Language Learning

   In: English Teaching Forum 2010, Volume 48, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   While noting the research on the benefits of learner interaction, this article states that more attention needs to be given to strategies for planning successful group work while avoiding the problems that can come with group activities. The author gives guidelines for forming groups, such as how many students to put in each group, whether to use flexible or fixed groupings, and how to divide students (by personal affiliation, oral language ability, personality, L1, and academic interests). Also addressed are guidelines for designing tasks and assigning group roles.

4. Memorial Day

   In: Celebrate! Holidays in the U.S.A. Format(s): Text

   Memorial Day is a holiday to honor the men and womn who have died in wars or in the service of their country.

5. Columbus Day

   In: Celebrate! Holidays in the U.S.A. Format(s): Text

   Columbus Day is a legal federal holiday that commemorates the first voyage of Christopher Columbus, who sailed west from Spain in 1492 and reached the islands of present day Bahamas.

6. Comment-Response Mingle

   In: Teaching Pragmatics Format(s): Text, Video, Website

   This lesson aims to help students become more aware of and have practice in using appropriate formulaic responses to common situations.

7. Improving the Friendly Discussions of Controversial Issues

   In: Teaching Pragmatics Format(s): Text, Video, Website

   This lesson aims to introduce students to a variety of pragmatic routines and lexical phrases employed in disagreements between peers.

8. Telephone Conversation Openings

   In: Teaching Pragmatics Format(s): Text, Video, Website

   This lesson aims to develop awareness and understanding of the nature of telephone conversation openings from a social, interactional perspective.

9. Intercultural Training with Films

   In: English Teaching Forum 2010, Volume 48, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses the use of film in the classroom to promote a better understanding of cross-cultural interaction. Examples are provided of films that feature issues in intercultural communication, such as nonverbal communication, cultural traditions, stereotypes, and individualism vs. collectivism. The article also includes guidelines for using films in the classroom as well as pre-, during, and post-viewing activities.

10. Teaching ESL Versus EFL

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

    The author argues for different teaching approaches in EFL vs. ESL settings. He points out the differences in student motivation and suggests how to select different activities for the two contexts (with examples of relevant activities). He gives guidelines for the appropriate role of L1 in each classroom, and explains how the two classroom cultures differ (for example, in term of the learning styles of the students). He argues that keeping in mind these differences will help educators make more effective decisions for their students.

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