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1. A Lesson Plan Speaking (and Writing) of Sports

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

   This lesson plan offers several sports-related photographs and classroom activities that use the pictures for individual, pair, or group work. The activities include a sentence-combination task, structured writing questions, open-ended writing tasks, a charting task, and questions for a whole-class discussion. The author gives suggestions for making the tasks easier or more difficult for multiple levels.

2. Tips and Activities for Creating a Communicative EFL Classroom Using Online Meeting Software

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

   This session, "Tips and Activities for Creating a Communicative EFL Classroom Using Online Meeting Software," introduced several communicative EFL activities for instructional sessions conducted via video-based online meeting software.

3. Lesson Plans Related to Art and Design

   Format(s): Text, Website

   From the Smithsonian, lesson plans and resources for teaching and learning about American culture, art, history, and other topics.

4. NASCAR: An American Sport and Pastime

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This article, written for students, is about NASCAR, a popular auto racing sport in the United States. It offers the history of the sport, interesting pictures, and a piece on the importance of a pit crew. There is also a profile of Jeff Gordon, a popular and winning driver. Also included are a list of NASCAR vocabulary and websites of interest, an overview of the sport and its rules, and information on three legendary drivers.

5. An Integrated Skills Lesson Plan for "Maps and Legends" by Michael Chabon

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

   This lesson plan is based on the article “Maps and Legends” by novelist Michael Chabon and is for high intermediate to advance students. The lesson includes group and pair work. Students discuss the neighborhood where they grew up. They read the text and identify unfamiliar words, then answer comprehension questions in writing or discussion groups. Post-reading activities include scanning, inferring meaning from context, dictionary practice, and discussion questions. The lesson ends with questions to make connections beyond the text and project ideas.

6. VOA Podcast: American History: A Declaration Seeking Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

   In: VOA Podcasts: Shows in Special English Format(s): Website

   Listen to Voice of America (VOA) Podcast: American History: A Declaration Seeking Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Podcast from VOA Learning English: About the USA. Stories are written at the intermediate and upper-beginner level and are read one-third slower than regular VOA English.

7. State and County Fairs: Family Fun Across the USA

   In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This feature article is on state and county fairs, “eagerly awaited celebrations of the nation’s agricultural bounty, love of competition, and community spirit.” The article discusses the history of fairs, where innovations in farm equipment and household appliances are displayed, and people engage in competition, fun, rides, and viewing curiosities. Some characteristics of fairs that are described are animals, education, competition, entertainment, and community involvement. Segments on 4-H and fair food follow the article.

8. Authentic Video in the Beginning ESOL Classroom: Using a Full-Length Feature Film for Listening and Speaking Strategy Practice

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 1 Format(s): Text

   Using film in the classroom can be effective with beginning English learners. A full-length film offers continuous context to discuss humor, culture, and language functions, real-life communication with images and non-verbal cues, increased retention due to activating the right hemisphere of the brain, and the lowering of students’ affective filters. The authors include a lesson based on their experience teaching listening and speaking skills using the movie “What about Bob.” Assessment techniques and potential problems are considered.

9. VOA Podcast: The State of Vermont - Fertile Farmland, Green Mountains and Revolutionary History

   In: VOA Podcasts: Shows in Special English Format(s): Website

   Listen online or download the podcast. Stories are written at the intermediate and upper-beginner level and are read one-third slower than regular VOA English.

10. VOA Podcast: Words and Their Stories - Down to Earth

    In: VOA Podcasts: Shows in Special English Format(s): Website

    Listen online or download the podcast. Stories are written at the intermediate and upper-beginner level and are read one-third slower than regular VOA English.

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