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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. Classmates as Language Learning Allies: Activities to Encourage Student-to-Student Interaction

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

   This session, “Classmates as Language Learning Allies: Activities to Encourage Student-to-Student Interaction,” provides ideas and strategies for structuring pair and group work to maximize student-to-student engagement, which can be especially important in contexts offering limited opportunities for out-of-class English practice.

3. Student-Produced Video: Two Approaches

   In: English Teaching Forum 2008, Volume 46, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This article introduces the idea of using video production to engage second language learners in learner-centered, project-based learning activities to motivate them to learn and participate through writing, directing, acting in, and editing a movie. The authors describe two projects. In the first project, four pairs of students each created a three-minute film. In the second project, all eight students worked together to create one long movie. The advantages and disadvantages of both approaches were discussed.

4. Using Graphic Organizers to Promote Students’ Academic Language Production

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

   This session introduces the graphic organizer as a tool to help students understand difficult concepts and produce related, meaningful academic English.

5. Easy Reading Activities to Engage Students

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

   How to engage students and help them develop the skills needed to make them better readers. Watch the webinar or download the presentation.

6. Enliven Your Class and Engage Your Students with Fun Facts

   In: English Teaching Forum 2023, Volume 61, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   Stephen Mark Silvers enlivens this article with dozens of “fun facts” while also explaining how teachers can use such facts to motivate students and develop students’ English skills in creative ways. The author, who notes that students’ responses to the facts will be “authentic and meaningful,” provides a number of sources where teachers can find fun facts to use with their classes.

7. To the Moon! — A Launch Pad for Encouraging Students to Express Their Opinions

   In: English Teaching Forum 2011, Volume 49, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   Writing a persuasive essay can be a challenging task. This article outlines an activity that involves developing, communicating, and exploring opinions. Students work individually to select volunteers to go to the moon. Groups then try to agree on the selection, discussing their reasons and assumptions. A number of letter-writing assignments incorporate material from the discussions. This student-centered activity can improve confidence, critical thinking skills, and writing fluency, while students learn from and challenge each other.

8. Is There a TA in Your Future? Upper-Class Teaching Assistants in the EFL Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2023, Volume 61, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   Author Gene Richards argues that establishing a program that prepares and allows upper-class students to become teaching assistants (TAs) for lower-class students can have benefits for all students—as well as their teachers. The article provides suggestions for setting up and managing the program; it also includes templates for TA agreements and certificates that readers are welcome to use if they establish a TA program of their own.

9. 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.

10. 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.

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