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1. Voice of America: Current Event Activities in the English Language Classroom

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

   This webinar explores today’s globalized world in the 24-hour news cycle, and the importance of teaching current events in the English language classroom.

2. Implementing Content-Based Language Instruction in your Classroom

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

   "Implementing Content-based Language Instruction in Your Classroom" examines the needs of teachers who are currently using or interested in content-based language instruction (CBI) in the classroom.

3. Assess and Motivate: Student Portfolios and Self-Assessments in the EFL Classroom

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

   This session, "Assess and Motivate: Student Portfolios and Self-Assessments in the EFL Classroom," explores the use of portfolios and self-assessments that document the completion of performance-based tasks as a great way to motivate students and measure learning.

4. 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.

5. Poems About Places

   In: Poems About Places Format(s): Text

   Learn about places – cities, provinces, villages, countries – that are special to the students who wrote poems about them. Read or download the poems!

6. Football: Action on the Gridiron

   In: English Teaching Forum 2010, Volume 48, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This issue features an in-depth article on the history, mechanics, gameplay, culture, and appeal of American football as well as a piece on America's yearly big event (the Super Bowl). There are powerful, dynamic sports photographs and descriptive, numbers-based explanations of how to play. The historical context reveals that football is not purely an American creation. A discussion of current-day football describes it as an event instead of just a game. A vocabulary section is also included so that students can learn how to 'talk football.'

7. U.S. National Parks: Protecting Nature and Providing Enjoyment

   In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This feature article on national parks is appropriate for use with higher intermediate or advanced learners. It offers vivid photos and describes the history of national parks, their creation, management, and expansion. The author discusses features of parks from different regions of the country: Acadia National Park (Maine), Denali National Park and Preserve (Alaska), Everglades National Park (Florida), Glacier National Park (Montana), and Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona). Information about the national parks conservation association and the national park foundation is also included.

8. 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.

9. Lesson Plan: Going Green

   In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   The lesson plan, “Going Green,” allows students to develop research and problem-solving skills on the theme of environmental conservation. The lesson includes a glossary of environmental terms. It uses a learner-centered approach as learners work in groups to determine their topic, the vocabulary they want to learn, how to collect information, how to report it (qualitatively or quantitatively), and what action to take based on the results. Students report their findings and action plan in a poster presentation. Creative writing, a debate, or a "green fair" are optional extensions.

10. In the Loop

    Format(s): Text, Image / Poster / Maps

    This book is a wonderful reference guide to American English idioms for your classroom. The book includes idioms and their meanings, a list of idioms by theme, some ready-to-use classroom activities, and a comprehensive index.

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