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1. VOA: English in a Minute

   Format(s): Video, Website

   Looking for ways to improve your listening skills and learn English idioms? Check out Voice of America's English in a Minute and listen to brief video clips that explain American English colloquialisms.

2. Reciprocal Teaching: A Useful Tool in Increasing Student-Talking Time

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

   Reciprocal Teaching (RT) can be used to increase student talk time and improve communicative competence. This strategy uses paraphrasing, reported speech, question formation and concept-checking to promote dialogue. As students move from short responses toward longer conversations (or language for transactional purposes), their fluency and retention increase. These “long turns” provide important practice. The author also emphasizes the importance of prompts for lower-level students. The article includes examples of each strategy as well as several axioms of reciprocal teaching.

3. "Imported" Communicative Language Teaching: Implications for Local Teachers

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

   This article criticizes the rejection of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) in non-Western contexts. Teachers sometimes avoid CLT because it includes ideas (such as autonomy and choice) that do not always fit with the educational, social, and cultural perspectives of their areas. The author defines CLT, considers the issues that come with importing this teaching method, and offers suggestions to help EFL teachers adapt CLT to their contexts to create genuine communication.

4. A Classroom Response to HIV/AIDS - Project Proposal Writing

   In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This article describes a task-based writing project. High-school students in Zambia wrote a proposal to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in their community. By writing on a topic related to their lives, students were motivated and empowered to use their English skills for positive change. The project was an interactive workshop that invited a community leader to help with brainstorming, the setting of ground rules, and understanding of the issue. Students worked together on their responses and drafted and revised a proposal that was based on a model from UNICEF.

5. Nichole

   In: American Teens Talk! Format(s): MP3, Text

   In this interview, Nichole talks about her week at high school and her plans to study photography in college.

6. Casey

   In: American Teens Talk! Format(s): MP3, Text

   What would it be like to be homeschooled? Read and listen to Casey tell her story of going to school at home.

7. Lilac

   In: American Teens Talk! Format(s): MP3, Text

   In this interview, Lilac talks about her part-time job, being on the swim team, and buying a car.

8. Brian

   In: American Teens Talk! Format(s): MP3, Text

   In this interview, Brian talks about his new baby brother, being bilingual, and plans for summer vacation.

9. Caroline

   In: American Teens Talk! Format(s): MP3, Text

   Teach your learners about volunteering. Read and listen to this week's interview with a typical American teenager who talks about doing volunteer work.

10. The Happy Song

    In: Sing Out Loud Children's Songs Format(s): MP3, Text, Image / Poster / Maps

    Does listening to music make you happy? The Happy Song is a traditional children’s song that encourages movement and rhythm. Download the song, lyrics, and poster.

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