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1. Dynamic Ways to Increase Student-to-Student Interaction

   In: American English Webinars Format(s): Text

   This session, “Dynamic Ways to Increase Student-to-Student Interaction,” explores options for promoting student-to-student interaction in the EFL classroom through a variety of exciting, easy-to-adapt games and activities. By the end of the session, participants will be able to create more energizing and engaging lessons that motivate students and increase their confidence, regardless of class size or level!

2. Student-Centered Speaking Activities to Increase Fluency and Accuracy

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

   This session, "Student-Centered Speaking Activities to Increase Fluency and Accuracy," focuses on activities that participants can use in teaching speaking in multi-level classes with students of all ages.

3. Reciprocal Teaching: A Useful Tool in Increasing Student-Talking Time

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 2 Format(s): Text

   Reciprocal Teaching (RT) can be used to increase student talk time and improve communicative competence. This strategy uses paraphrasing, reported speech, question formation and concept-checking to promote dialogue. As students move from short responses toward longer conversations (or language for transactional purposes), their fluency and retention increase. These “long turns” provide important practice. The author also emphasizes the importance of prompts for lower-level students. The article includes examples of each strategy as well as several axioms of reciprocal teaching.

4. 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.

5. Article with Activity: International Students in America

   In: VOA Articles with Activities Format(s): Video, Website

   Test Your Academic Vocabulary! Listen to and read the article. Then, test your vocabulary with activities and exercises. Level: Beginner

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. VOA Podcast: Number of International Students Attending American Colleges and Universities Continues Rising

   In: VOA Podcasts: Shows in Special English Format(s): Text

   Listen online or download the podcast.

9. Encouraging Student Voices in a Chinese Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2001, Volume 39, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   The author shares two activities she developed to promote student participation and encourage candid feedback. The first strategy involved having a student "facilitator" play the role of the teacher in small group discussions, providing an alternative to teacher-centered classrooms. To receive candid feedback from students, the author developed a system called no-fuss feedback. Students drew a large circle on a piece of paper and, as they listened to a list of class activities, they wrote the name of the activity in the circle if it helped them, and outside the circle if it did not.

10. Online Double-Communication Lines to Enhance Student Interaction

    In: English Teaching Forum, Volume 60, Number 2 Format(s): Text

    The author describes ways to bring a popular classroom technique to online environments, showing how to have students form virtual “lines” and then move from partner to partner via a sequence of changing breakout rooms.

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