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1. Drama-Based Activities to Improve Student Confidence and Motivation

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

   This session, "Drama-Based Activities to Improve Student Confidence and Motivation," shares fun, confidence-building, evidence-based drama techniques that can be applied in any EFL classroom setting!

2. Practical Activities for Balanced Listening Instruction

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

   This webinar will introduce activities to develop students' listening skills in all of these areas; these activities can make your listening instruction both easier and more effective.

3. Morning Discussion as a Communicative Activity

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 4 Format(s): Text

   This article describes freshman university students in China. They started their day with Morning Discussion, a student-hosted discussion of relevant topics. BBC and VOA reports were useful sources. The discussions offered opportunities for negotiation, clarification, and building communicative competence. As students took responsibility for the topics, classroom set up, and participation, their confidence grew. This was very successful, as shown by comments in students’ weekly diaries. Instructors stayed out of debates and did not interrupt to offer corrections.

4. Integrating Language Skills through a Dictogloss Procedure

   In: English Teaching Forum 2014, Volume 52, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   The co-authors of this article present interactive and student-centered dictogloss activities as alternatives to dictation exercises.

5. Teaching ESL Versus EFL

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   The author argues for different teaching approaches in EFL vs. ESL settings. He points out the differences in student motivation and suggests how to select different activities for the two contexts (with examples of relevant activities). He gives guidelines for the appropriate role of L1 in each classroom, and explains how the two classroom cultures differ (for example, in term of the learning styles of the students). He argues that keeping in mind these differences will help educators make more effective decisions for their students.

6. 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.

7. Adapting Songs for Beginning Learners

   In: Teacher's Corner: Adapting Materials for Students' Levels Format(s): Text

   During week 2 of this month’s Teacher’s Corner, learn a fun way to adapt a song activity for beginner-level students.

8. Everyday Conversations: Learning American English

   Format(s): Text

   This resource can be used by teachers and learners. Students can listen to and/or read dialogues in English.

9. Reading to Speak: Integrating Oral Communication Skills

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

   Although students want to practice speaking English, they do not have many opportunities to do so in the Chinese EFL system. This often results in something called 'mute English.' This article suggests a greater integration of skills through reading to speak activities. The author includes activities for reading to act, reading to debate, and reading to interview. These activities move students away from a focus on form, allowing students to be creative and build fluency.

10. A Tale of Two Animals

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

    An Indonesian fable is the theme of this three-part lesson for young learners. Students practice with the past-tense verbs used in the fable. By listening, reading and ordering the sentences, and copying a paragraph of the story, students become very familiar with the fable. The lessons finish with homework to write a play based on the fable. Students may select and perform the best play from their group.

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