Advanced Search: Resources

1. "Mix It Up! Mingle Away!"

   In: English Teaching Forum, Volume 60, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   Laura Loder Buechel presents innovative twists on the familiar technique of “mingling,” suggesting creative ways that you can use mingles to have students tell and listen to jokes, find partners, give compliments, and more—with additional tips for getting the most out of the mingles you use.

2. Hidden Pictures: An Integrated Speaking and Listening Activity

   In: English Teaching Forum 2024, Volume 62, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   Author Heather Gaddis provides a detailed, step-by-step description of an original activity in which students examine and describe pictures that are similar to one another. The author includes suggestions for adapting the activity for different purposes and for integrating themes—which teachers can choose—into the activity for targeted practice.

3. Matching Auditory Description with Visual Objects in an Interactive Setting

   In: English Teaching Forum 2024, Volume 62, Number 4 Format(s): Text, Image / Poster / Maps

   Author Monisha Biswas presents an engaging activity that gives students practice in describing objects, listening to classmates’ descriptions, and identifying the objects being described. The article offers options for adapting the activity, which can develop learners’ overall language skills.

4. Create to Communicate: Art Activities for the EFL Classroom

   Format(s): Text

   Looking for ways to add art activities to your English language classroom? Create to Communicate is filled with great activities and lessons that use art to foster English language development.

5. Developing Grammar Proficiency Through Communicative Activities

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

   This session, "Developing Grammar Proficiency Through Communicative Activities," explores key principles associated with communicative grammar instruction.

6. Using Original Video and Sound Effects to Teach English

   In: English Teaching Forum 2012, Volume 50, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This article outlines a lesson plan for teaching modals of speculation that express degrees of certainty, using audio-visual techniques. It identifies the teacher's lesson preparation, required materials, and specific ways to engage students in the special interactive environment. It highlights the effectiveness of audio-visual resources to represent and illustrate abstract concepts. The article also provides ideas for variations of the lesson plan, employing video and sound effects to teach grammar, vocabulary, and creative writing.

7. Lessons from the Other Side of the Teacher’s Desk: Discovering Insights to Help Language Learners

   In: English Teaching Forum 2011, Volume 49, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   An EFL instructor shares ideas on classroom practice after participating in an intensive language program. The author discusses L1 use in the classroom as well as the importance of pronunciation instruction. The article also includes tips on acquiring vocabulary and reasons why pair and group work are good. Finally, the author considers how to support students who may be experiencing communication anxiety as they learn a new language. The article emphasizes a communicative approach and the importance of a friendly classroom environment.

8. A Questionnaire Project: Integrating the Four Macro Skills with Critical Thinking

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

   This article describes the steps of a questionnaire project that uses listening, speaking, reading and writing while developing interpretation skills and self-regulation. The project creates survey questions, collects and analyzes data, and reports results. While students work in groups, they have opportunities to brainstorm, express opinions, and ask for clarification. The article includes tips on time constraints, evaluation of data, participation, and topic selection.

9. Health and Fitness

   In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   The theme of health offers a variety of language-learning possibilities. This three-part lesson plan for young learners can be adapted to other audiences. It includes a reading, a dialogue, and a listening script. The first lesson asks learners to analyze lifestyle choices and give advice. The second lesson takes students to a sporting goods store, where they consider the language they need to talk with a sales clerk. The third lesson is about food choices, including ways to prepare foods. A follow-up activity researches how a famous athlete stays healthy.

10. Using Replacement Performance Role-Plays in the Language Classroom

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

    Replacement performance role plays are a different type of role play. Rather than memorizing or writing a dialogue, this activity asks learners to listen and consider other possible responses. Students decide which character will be replaced and what they will do differently. Even shy learners or ones with lower proficiency levels can be involved because it is less overwhelming than writing a dialogue. The activity develops pragmatic competence and critical thinking skills. Popular TV shows can be used.

Pages