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1. Using Original Video and Sound Effects to Teach English

   In: English Teaching Forum 2012, Volume 50, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This article outlines a lesson plan for teaching modals of speculation that express degrees of certainty, using audio-visual techniques. It identifies the teacher's lesson preparation, required materials, and specific ways to engage students in the special interactive environment. It highlights the effectiveness of audio-visual resources to represent and illustrate abstract concepts. The article also provides ideas for variations of the lesson plan, employing video and sound effects to teach grammar, vocabulary, and creative writing.

2. Stronger and Stronger

   In: American Rhythms Format(s): MP3

   Part of an award-winning album, this is a song about believing in yourself and about fighting to reach your full potential. Hear the beautiful sounds of the slack key guitar, which is commonly used in Hawaiian music.

3. The Law of Life

   In: To Build a Fire and Other Stories Format(s): Text

   In this story from To Build a Fire and Other Stories, an old and blind Alaskan Native man listens to the sounds of his tribe preparing to migrate to find food and thinks about the law of life: all things must die.

4. El Paso

   In: American Rhythms Format(s): MP3, Text

   In the song El Paso, folk/indie singer, songwriter and internet sensation Danielle “Ate the Sandwich” Anderson thinks back on the experiences she had in El Paso. Listen online or download the MP3.

5. Teaching Weak Forms

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This article describes a pronunciation concept referred to as the weak form, a compression of sounds used to keep the rhythm of spoken English. The author uses the word “that” as an example. Stressing or not stressing the word “that” when reading aloud the sentence “John thinks that man is evil” changes the meaning. Reading “that” as unstressed is an example of the weak form. The author provides examples of how to teach the weak form to provide students with better spoken English and better comprehension.

6. Localvore

   In: American Rhythms Format(s): MP3, Text

   In the folk song Localvore, Zach Ladin sings about supporting local foods, businesses, and communities. Download the MP3 or listen online.

7. Further Down

   In: American Rhythms Format(s): MP3, Text

   In the indie folk song "Further Down," singer Kris Gruen combines catchy lyrics with the soft sound of the acoustic guitar. Download the MP3 or listen online.

8. America

   In: American Rhythms Format(s): MP3, Text, Video

   What is a road trip? Why are road trips popular in the United States? Find out more with this set of activities based on music by the award winning ukulele player Victoria Vox.

9. Integrating Authentic Materials and Language Skills in English for Science and Technology Instruction

   In: English Teaching Forum 2001, Volume 39, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This article describes how a unit in an English for Science and Technology (EST) course integrated three learning materials: a research article from a scientific journal, an article from a magazine that reports on the scientific journal article, and an instructional video with its script. Instruction was focused on both content and rhetorical functions. The author shows how the language skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening were used for each of the three materials.

10. “Listen to the Music: Using Songs in Listening and Speaking Classes”

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

    This article provides detailed descriptions of three practical activities that integrate music with English language learning.

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