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1. From Passive Learners to Critical Thinkers: Preparing EFL Students for University Success

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

   This article explains how the Bangladesh Rehabilitation Assistance Committee (BRAC) revised their curriculum to best prepare EFL students for English-speaking universities. After completing a needs analysis on how to best serve their students, the committee decided to make a more interactive classroom environment in which teachers integrated the four skills, used critical thinking activities, taught grammar in context, and used various methods of assessment. Feedback showed that both the students and the teachers responded positively to the changes.

2. Students as Textbook Authors

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

   The authors describe their experience using a learner-centered approach to turn learner writing into booklets. When students write about their own lives, they can focus on the language they need to express their ideas. Interaction increases because interest is high. Near beginners can create fact sheets about themselves, and more advanced students can write language-learning histories. The texts can become fill-in-the-blank activities or be read aloud. Student texts inform instructors of needs and interests; they give students ownership of their learning and provide models for future classes.

3. Teacher's Corner: Technology Tools for Students and Teachers

   Format(s): Text

   Want to learn more about using technology for learning and teaching? Look no further than this month’s Teacher’s Corner.

4. Motivating Your Students with Rules, Routines, and Rewards

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

   This session, "Motivating Your Students with Rules, Routines, and Rewards," defines classroom rules, routines, and rewards in the English language classroom, their role in well-managed classes, and how their creation and effective use leads to learner engagement.

5. Motivating Students by Modifying Evaluation Methods

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This author identifies three key elements to student assessment—overly critical correcting, expectations, and competitive scoring—that prevent success in the ESL environment, based on the typical Chinese educational structure. The article discusses several techniques, mostly learner-centered, that a teacher can use to provide effective assessments while also creating an environment of trust, confidence, and fairness, where a student feels safe to take risks.

6. Teaching Writing Students How to Become Competent Peer Reviewers

   In: English Teaching Forum 2018, Volume 56, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   Many teachers use peer-review techniques; as the title suggests, this article presents ideas for helping your students engage in peer review more effectively.

7. Embracing Social Media to Engage Students and Teach Narrative Writing

   In: English Teaching Forum 2019, Volume 57, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   Many students are already involved with social media; this article presents in clear detail a technique for using social media to generate characters and ideas for narrative writing.

8. Effective e-reading: Helping Students Stay on Task While Reading Online

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

   This session, "Effective e-reading: Helping Students Stay on Task While Reading Online," explores strategies for more accurate and efficient e-reading; these approaches address reading skills such as fluency, synthesis, source tracking, and more!

9. Getting Students to Speak Up: Classroom Atmosphere Is Key

   In: English Teaching Forum 2022, Volume 60, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   The author describes a challenge that is familiar to many language teachers: trying to get students to speak up independently, share thoughts, and participate authentically in the target language. The article includes general and specific tips for creating a comfortable, communicative classroom environment.

10. Techniques for Students New to the Language Lab

    In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 3 Format(s): Text

    This article presents techniques that can be used in the university language lab to improve listening and speaking skills. The article describes several tasks for pairs and groups. Lessons begin with a popular English song and a warm up activity. Materials expose students to the formal and informal language of native speakers and fluent non-native speakers. Drills, stories, songs, and conversations make the language lab a beneficial resource. An initial session highlights the unique aspects of spoken language.

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