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1. Beyond Film: Exploring the Content of Movies

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

   This article looks at the use of movies in the language-learning classroom. The author promotes the use of the movie “To Kill a Mockingbird” due to its content, which involves poverty, racial inequality and mental illness, and to the availability of websites related to its use in English classrooms. The author highlights six scenes for understanding the movie, pre-viewing, while viewing, and post-viewing activities, as well as suggestions for Internet follow-up. An example WebQuest is included.

2. Developing Dynamic Units for EFL

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

   “Developing Dynamic Units for EFL” describes how to develop a thematic unit that integrates skills in context, provides opportunities for learner autonomy, and is project-based and experiential. Planning includes identifying curriculum standards, thinking of a meaningful topic, brainstorming tasks, organizing the activities, and making use of learner choice. The sample unit “Eating Out with Friends” includes the topics of inviting friends; choosing a restaurant and making a reservation; finding and communicating directions; ordering and requesting the bill; and thanking friends and retelling the story.

3. 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.

4. U.S. National Parks: Protecting Nature and Providing Enjoyment

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

   This feature article on national parks is appropriate for use with higher intermediate or advanced learners. It offers vivid photos and describes the history of national parks, their creation, management, and expansion. The author discusses features of parks from different regions of the country: Acadia National Park (Maine), Denali National Park and Preserve (Alaska), Everglades National Park (Florida), Glacier National Park (Montana), and Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona). Information about the national parks conservation association and the national park foundation is also included.

5. English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 3

   Format(s): Text

   Speaking (and writing) about sports is the feature article in this issue. Other topics include materials development, speaking and listening online, teaching writing, and classroom techniques.

6. Abstracts from Other Journals

   In: English Teaching Forum 2002 (Volume 40, Number 1) Format(s): Text

   Two abstracts are presented from other journals, “Transcending the Nativeness Paradigm” from World Englishes and “Enriching Reality: Language Corpora in Language Pedagogy” from ELT Journal. In the first, the authors argue that the binary classification of native or non-native speakers is based on socially constructed identity. They use four case studies based on four participants to validate their point. The authors of the second abstract argue that using corpora has been overlooked by L2 learners, and provide suggestions on how to incorporate this within a classroom.

7. Teacher Resources

   In: English Teaching Forum 2002 (Volume 40, Number 1) Format(s): Text

   Information about four resource books is provided. The first, “Film,” contains 68 games and activities based on films, each designed for students at various levels of proficiency. The second, “Imaginative Project,” includes project work and lesson plans for 11 to 17 year olds. The third, "Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages,” is a reference that contains 30 chapters on current topics about language teaching. Lastly, “American Roots” provides various readings on U.S. cultural history as well as various intermediate level exercises on the topic.

8. Clause Relationships and Macro Patterns: Coherence, Cohesion, and the Writing of Advanced ESOL Students

   In: English Teaching Forum 2002 (Volume 40, Number 1) Format(s): Text

   This article discusses problems that non-native speakers of English may have in making their written texts cohesive and coherent. The author provides cohesive devices that can aid students in their writing and emphasizes the organization of ideas in order to build coherence. Included are activities designed to raise students' awareness of various patterns, help reformulate sentences, aid students in creating their own texts, and increase their ability to edit their own work.

9. English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 2

   Format(s): Text

   This issue is full of jazzy teaching ideas. A feature article on jazz is joined by articles on ESP, professional development, and the use of computers and web resources to enhance writing and speaking skills.

10. English Prime as an Instructional Tool in Writing Classes

    In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 3 Format(s): Text

    This article discusses a variety of ways to incorporate E-Prime, the idea that all forms of the verb “to be” need to be replaced in writing and speaking. The author shows how this can force ESL and EFL students to improve their writing and make them to spend more time with their essays, to think critically about acceptable grammar and vocabulary, and to search for new vocabulary.

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