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A Judicious Lesson: A Whole-learning Reading Activity

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

This article discusses the use of whole-reading activities in a university level reading and speaking course. The author used a magazine article about a murder and a trial to develop a four-week unit in which students investigated ideas about crime, punishment, rhetorical strategies, idiomatic language, and the United States' judicial system. Through the use of this unit, the author advocates for readings and activities that challenge students to move beyond comprehension of a text.

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.

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.

Why English? Comics for the Classroom

Format(s): Text

This resource can be used by teachers and learners. It includes notes for teachers and activities to use in the classroom at the end of each story.

Story 1: Are You Ready to Learn English?

In: Why English? Comics for the Classroom Format(s): MP3, Text

The stories in Why English? Comics for the Classroom – written by teenagers and young adults – will appeal to learners of all ages. These stories provide an enjoyable opportunity to increase vocabulary, reading comprehension, listening, speaking, and writing.

Story 7: I Need a Bear

In: Why English? Comics for the Classroom Format(s): Text

The stories in Why English? Comics for the Classroom – written by teenagers and young adults – will appeal to learners of all ages. These stories provide an enjoyable opportunity to increase vocabulary, reading comprehension, listening, speaking, and writing.

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.

A Questionnaire Project: Integrating the Four Macro Skills with Critical Thinking

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

This article describes the steps of a questionnaire project that uses listening, speaking, reading and writing while developing interpretation skills and self-regulation. The project creates survey questions, collects and analyzes data, and reports results. While students work in groups, they have opportunities to brainstorm, express opinions, and ask for clarification. The article includes tips on time constraints, evaluation of data, participation, and topic selection.

PBS Kids

Format(s): Website

PBS Kids helps to educate young learners in creative and fun ways. The educational content is aimed at children, with many interactive games and activities to aid in learning.

Notes for Teachers