Advanced Search: Resources

1. Why and How to Teach Collocations

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

   One of the key developments in vocabulary teaching stems from Michael Lewis’s Lexical Approach, which considers language as chunks of words combined for meaning. These frequently occurring word combinations are called collocations. This article points out a number of problems that result from learning words in isolation. Work with meaningful phrases can help improve students’ comprehension and comprehensibility. The article includes reading and listening activities to raise awareness of collocations as well as writing and speaking activities.

2. First Road to Learning: Language through Stories

   In: English Teaching Forum 2006, Volume 44, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses the benefits of using stories in language teaching and ideas of how to use stories in the classroom. The authors believe that stories can help solve the problems caused by limited resources and are good ways to teach culture. They describe types of stories and how they can be used in teaching speaking, listening, reading, writing, integrated skills, and critical thinking.

3. Integrating Authentic Materials and Language Skills in English for Science and Technology Instruction

   In: English Teaching Forum 2001, Volume 39, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This article describes how a unit in an English for Science and Technology (EST) course integrated three learning materials: a research article from a scientific journal, an article from a magazine that reports on the scientific journal article, and an instructional video with its script. Instruction was focused on both content and rhetorical functions. The author shows how the language skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening were used for each of the three materials.

4. Using Story Jokes for Real Communication

   In: English Teaching Forum 2012, Volume 50, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   English language teachers all face the obstacle of getting their students to speak in conversational English. This article, originally published in 1996, explores the use of jokes as a way to get natural conversation going in and out of the classroom and provides activities for teachers to use with their students.

5. Turning Logic-Grid Puzzles into a Communicative Activity

   In: English Teaching Forum 2022, Volume 60, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   The author, Gavin Young, offers a detailed guide showing how to create custom-made logic-grid puzzles and how to present and use them in class to promote learners’ speaking, listening, and thinking skills. The author uses an original puzzle he created as a working example throughout the article.

6. Greetings with a Difference

   In: Teaching Pragmatics Format(s): Text, Video, Website

   This lesson examines different ways of greeting people.

7. Discourse Markers Well and Oh

   In: Teaching Pragmatics Format(s): Text, Video, Website

   This lesson focuses on using the discourse markers well and oh for smoother discourse flow.

8. Making Contrasts in English

   In: Teaching Pragmatics Format(s): Text, Video, Website

   This lesson aims to help students learn how to make contrasts using intonation.

9. GoEnglish.Me: A VOA English Software Program

   Format(s): Video, Website

   Interactive, task-based American English learning program produced by Voice of America.

10. VOA Learning English Activities

    Format(s): Website

    Leveled activities (beginning, intermediate, and advanced) on specific functions, produced by Voice of America.

Pages