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1. Adaptable Speaking Activities for Pairs and Groups

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

   This session, “Adaptable Speaking Activities for Pairs and Groups,” explores several motivating speaking-focused activities that can be easily modified for different levels, student interests, and teaching contexts.

2. Integrating Indigenous Cultures into English Language Teaching

   In: English Teaching Forum 2009, Volume 47, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   The authors present a variety of EFL lesson plans focused on various cultures of the world (e.g., Bantu storytelling, Maori tattoos, Native American star quilts). Teachers are encouraged to help students connect with their own cultures to keep them alive.

3. Using Story Boxes in Language Learning

   In: English Teaching Forum 2009, Volume 47, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This article outlines how to bring stories alive through the use of story boxes (or bags). The author suggests that teachers use easy-to-find materials such as shoeboxes or pizza boxes. These can be filled with a variety of small surprise items related to the content. The teacher or the students can find items for these boxes. Story boxes can easily be moved and stored. They can be used in identifying themes or for vocabulary and grammar exercises, and they work well with learners of all ages.

4. What is English for Specific Purposes?

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

   This article gives examples of the lessons the author learned from years of teaching ESP. She learned to investigate authentic material thoroughly before making assumptions about learner needs. She tells of occasions on which she relied on the input from textbook writers and job supervisors who made errors in analyzing what students most needed in their language classes. She discussed a learner-focused style, which follows the theory that career development and language development follow the same path, from specific and technical to context- and experience-based.

5. The Formeaning Response Approach: Poetry in the EFL Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2009, Volume 47, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses the use of poetry-based activities in the English as foreign language (EFL) classroom. It claims that poetry exposes learners to content-rich materials. It presents the Formeaning Response approach, which combines language elements with personal responses to poetry, and offers activities that motivate students to attend and respond to both the form and the overall meaning.

6. Scaffolding Linguistics and Intercultural Goals in EFL with Simplified Novels and their Film Adaptations

   In: English Teaching Forum 2008, Volume 46, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article argues that exposure to culture will help students develop complex linguistic and cultural skills. The authors discuss the use of graded literary readers, audio resources, and films. They present a detailed description of the implementation and results of two simplified novel modules in an EFL program.

7. Classroom Techniques: Using Radio Programs in the EFL Classroom

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

   The article describes how to use Voice of America (VOA) radio programs to teach English to students studying in EFL contexts. A major reason why the author believes VOA programs are a good source for English learning is because they allow the teacher to teach English through content. At the same time, VOA programs provide authentic language-learning materials. The author describes four listening activities (before listening, while listening, and after listening) using VOA radio programs.

8. Lesson Plan: Using Journalism Skills in the Language Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2006, Volume 44, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This lesson plan contains four activities based on the theme of newspapers and journalism. It includes a lesson to familiarize students with newspapers, journalistic writing, interviewing, and creating a class newspaper. The activities can be used as individual lessons or a larger project of creating a class newspaper.

9. Designing Lessons for EFL Listening Comprehension Classes

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

   To keep students motivated, the author outlines several principles for developing listening comprehension lessons. When learners focus on a clear learning objective, retention improves. Other recommendations include keeping the same topic and objective for several activities and selecting relevant, authentic material with a clear layout and pictures to help with prediction. The author discusses appropriate teaching methods, such as variety and effective questioning.

10. Create to Communicate: Mixed Media

    In: Create to Communicate: Art Activities for the EFL Classroom Format(s): Text

    Mixed media, an art technique that combines two or more art media, can provide students with many avenues for expression, exploration, and experimentation while using English.

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