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1. Teacher's Corner: Service Learning in the Language Classroom

   Format(s): Text

   In this month’s Teacher’s Corner, we’ll examine ways that you can incorporate Service Learning strategies to get your students involved with experiential learning! During week 1, students will brainstorm community issues that they can help solve.

2. Using L1 in the L2 Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   There may be more to the use of L1 in the L2 classroom than previously thought. Recent findings show that L1 usage values the native culture and language of the students, allowing them to feel comfortable taking risks in English. The author distributed a questionnaire on Spanish usage to English language students and professors at a Puerto Rican university. Results showed that both students and teachers felt there were clear instances where Spanish would help understanding. The author also shares his own personal experiences as a Spanish-speaking English teacher.

3. Keeping Discipline in the Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 3 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses the challenges of keeping order in the classroom and provides suggestions for fostering an environment of mutual respect. The article looks at what students expect of teachers as well as temporary games and long-term strategies that students use to take control from the teacher. Some practical solutions to discipline problems include keeping students’ attention, establishing clear rules together, and addressing discipline problems by using nonverbal and verbal cues before reacting to the problem.

4. Extra Work or Work Extra: Five Steps for Studying Vocabulary

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

   An instructor shares a plan for extra study that helped struggling students learn vocabulary. Students selected five words from each unit of their class text. A sample of words from the text “Raise the Issues” and reasons for choosing them are included. The five steps used to learn the words were learning pronunciation, recognizing other word forms, using the dictionary, reading the word in context, and using the word in context. Scaffolding for writing with the word is provided. This method was more successful and more popular than extra quizzes for low-achieving students.

5. Pronunciation Textbook Discrepancies

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

   This article identifies the most common differences among popular English pronunciation textbooks. Vowel symbols, number of diphthongs, and the different ways of marking primary and secondary stress are a few of the pronunciation features addressed. These differences can make it confusing and frustrating for teachers and students. Instructors should be aware of these differences and address them with their students while encouraging students to use the instructor’s preferred transcription system.

6. Word Bricks- Parts of Speech

   In: Activate: Games for Learning American English - Word Bricks Format(s): Text

   In Part of Speech, teacher gives the players a specific pattern to use, and their sentences must follow this pattern. Students use Word Bricks to build sentences individually, in pairs, or in small groups. This activity is great for lower proficiency level students, as it provides scaffolding to help students generate a correct sentence.

7. Teacher's Corner: Common Challenges in the English Classroom

   Format(s): Text

   Large classes can be challenging. Learn ways to make the most of large classes by using learning teams in this week’s Teacher’s Corner.

8. Week 4 - Planning a Trip

   In: Teacher's Corner: Gerunds and Infinitives Format(s): Text

   This week we will conclude our gerund and infinitives activities by practicing giving and receiving travel advice.

9. Week 3 - Strategy Three: Progress Checks

   In: Teacher's Corner: Promoting Learner Engagement Format(s): Text

   Looking for motivation strategies to add to lessons? This week, we’ll discover how using progress checks during class time can keep students’ attention while they monitor their own progress.

10. Ongoing Reflection and Post-Project Sharing

    In: Teacher's Corner: Service Learning in the Language Classroom Format(s): Text

    During our final week of Teacher’s Corner on Service Learning, we present strategies for students to share their experiences and reflections after the completion of a project.

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