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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.

An Investigation of the Effectiveness of Teaching Pronunciation to Malaysian TEFL Students

In: English Teaching Forum 2001, Volume 39, Number 3 Format(s): Text

This article examines the benefits of pronunciation instruction for young adult language learners. It reports findings from a study in which pronunciation training was implemented into a university-level EFL speaking and listening course. The study found that students claimed to have benefitted from both the top-down approach and the bottom-up approach. This article endorses the value of pronunciation training using both segmental and suprasegmental instruction, and addressing oral production and aural comprehension.

English Teaching Forum 2009, Volume 47, Number 2

Format(s): Text

The spotlight is on New Mexico. Accompanying the feature article is a lesson plan designed to teach students about the state’s climate and energy issues. Other articles focus on World Englishes, organizational skills that aid language learning, public speaking tasks in English language learning, ways to make university English classes more interactive, and video recording in teacher training.

Teacher Resources

In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 1 Format(s): Text

This section reviews four books. “Teaching English as an International Language” by Sandra McKay relates English teaching to the use of the language around the world. “Humanizing Your Coursework” by Mario Rinvolucri offers 95 activities range from icebreakers and warm-ups to listening, speaking, and looking backwards or forwards. “Testcraft” by Fred Davidson and Brian K. Lynch addresses how to design contextual tests. “Teaching Large Level Multilevel Classes” by Natalie Hess includes 144 activities and 11 principles for teachers to cope with these types of classes.

English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 4

Format(s): Text

This issue showcases the U.S. National Park System. The feature article is coupled with a lesson plan on environmental preservation or “going green.” Other articles cover replacement performance role-plays, the paradigm shift from paper-and-pencil tests to performance-based assessments, using story-based frameworks, microteaching for non-native speaking teacher trainees, and open classroom communication centered on civic education.

Introduction to Teaching Pragmatics (Reprinted from the online book Teaching Pragmatics, published by the Office of English Language Programs)

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

Second and foreign language learners use English differently than native speakers do, especially in regard to greetings, closings, and managing conversations. Pragmatics does not receive the attention it should even though mistakes can be interpreted on a social and personal level. This article introduces a rationale for teaching pragmatics and discusses the goals. Teaching materials should include authentic language, and input should precede interpretation or production. Instructors may decide to use the L1 for raising awareness since these types of lessons are useful even for beginners.

Abstracts from Other Journals

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

“Challenges for ELT from the expansion in teaching children” addresses a growing international trend of teaching English to younger learners (TEYL). Some issues raised are teacher education, student motivation, assessment, and the diversity of levels that exist in secondary school. The second article explores the topic of “Ownership” of English and the NS-NNS distinction. The study asked speakers from India, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United States to rate the acceptability of sentences. Their answers reflected their degree of ownership and perceptions of the target language.

Useful Resources for Editing Academic Writing in English

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

This article describes how the author assisted graduate students with academic writing in English. It also shares useful resources for teachers in non-English speaking countries who are responsible for editing academic theses and dissertations, professional articles, and papers for international conferences. The author's editing process includes corrections written on the paper as well as typed, detailed explanations of grammar points and suggestions for rewording or reorganization. Online and print resources are included.

Rediscovering Curiosity, Imagination, and Humor in Learning

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

This piece introduces three previously published articles that speak to the effectiveness of teaching the English language through curiosity, imagination, and humor. The articles introduced are “Curiosity and Comprehension,” “Using Story Jokes for Real Communication,” and “An Imaginative Approach to Teaching Writing.”

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