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1. The Trans-Cultural Comparative Literature Method: Using Grammar Translation Techniques Effectively

   In: English Teaching Forum 2010, Volume 48, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article explains the trans-cultural comparative literature method, which uses elements of communicative language teaching (CLT) and grammar-translation (GT) while comparing two culturally different texts. This method focuses on grammar and vocabulary, but also gives students a chance to analyze different cultures. An overview of CLT and GT is followed by guidelines for the trans-cultural comparative literature method and sample lesson plans for its use.

2. How to Make Upper-Level University English Classes More Interactive

   In: English Teaching Forum 2009, Volume 47, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   Because of the advanced nature of the work in ESP classes, some students may have trouble keeping up and staying motivated. The author outlines what she did to make her ESP Engineering class more interactive. By incorporating task-based language teaching (TLBT), there were more opportunities for group work and student-to-student communication. A number of activities are available to the instructor using a TBLT approach, including listing, compare and contrast, problem solving, sharing personal experiences, and projects.

3. Teaching Conversation with Trivia

   In: English Teaching Forum 2002, Volume 40, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This article presents reasons for using trivia (a quizzing game) to teach conversation and provides tips on how trivia-based materials fit into communicative language teaching approaches. It also presents examples of trivia-based activities that can be used in the conversation classroom. The article suggests that using trivia-based materials makes the content more interesting, meaningful, and thus motivating for learners.

4. The Lighter Side

   In: English Teaching Forum 2002, Volume 40, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   The Lighter Side in this issue has three parts. “Scrambled Energy Words” is an unscrambling-the-words activity using vocabulary related to energy. “Energy Jokes and Puns” has jokes related to energy, and “Energy Idioms” contains idioms related to energy.

5. Save the Lofty Trees

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This is a script for a play called “Save the Lofty Trees,” intended for students use in ESL classrooms and is intended for young learners. This play gives students a chance to take part in group work by acting out the various scenes of the script. This will provide students with opportunities to use their skills and build fluency.

6. A Plan for Using - "Save the Lofty Trees" by Leslie Mills

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   The author describes how to use the play “Save the Lofty Trees” in a classroom. The plan offers six activities that will promote student interaction, involving guided imagination, brainstorming, group-work, creative movement, and an interactive read through. This lesson plan is intended for young learners and addresses all learning styles.

7. Discussion Questions for "Bessie Dreaming Bear" by Marnie Walsh

   In: English Teaching Forum 2006, Volume 44, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This is a column containing discussion questions for a poem, and suggestions for pre-writing, writing, and post-writing activities.

8. Discussion Questions for "Moonflowers" by Karma Larsen

   In: English Teaching Forum 2006, Volume 44, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This is a column containing discussion questions for a poem, including literal comprehension questions, inference and figurative language questions, evaluation, experience, and appreciation questions.

9. Information Gap in Communicative Classrooms

   In: English Teaching Forum 2001, Volume 39, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   The author argues that exchanges in the classroom must go beyond display questions and should be based on the information gap that occurs when one speaker does not know in advance what the other is going to say. The author provides examples of information gap activities to promote a communicative classroom. Activity types include practical situations, guessing games, role plays, opinion gap activities, and reasoning gap activities. The author argues that these activities have real communicative value.

10. Getting Teens to Really Work in Class

    In: English Teaching Forum 2012, Volume 50, Number 4 Format(s): Text

    This article explains the brain development and behavior of teenagers as well as their special needs. The authors offer English language learning activities that meet the need for physical movement, social interaction, and reduced stress.

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