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1. 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.

2. Lesson Plan: Cultural Crossroads: Hawaii and Beyond

   In: English Teaching Forum 2009, Volume 47, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This content-based lesson plan is about ethnic/cultural heritage and diversity in Hawaii. It also encourages students to explore their own cultures. The author includes four activities (listening and speaking, small group discussion, place-based group work, and role play). Ideas are also provided for multi-session lessons that encourage students to revise and communicate.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.”

7. The TOEFL and Grammar

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

   This article examines the implications of universities in non-English-speaking countries imposing TOEFL requirements on their students. The author points out the difference between grammar taught in classrooms and how structure is evaluated on the TOEFL. The author identifies and discusses three categories: syntax, combination, and vocabulary. The article discusses important features of the test in order to familiarize EFL teachers with the TOEFL in each of these categories.

8. Peace

   In: American Rhythms Format(s): MP3

   In this song, hip-hop singer, humanitarian, motivational speaker and entrepreneur Chen Lo makes an appeal for peace in the world. Download the MP3 or listen online.

9. Let’s Play Ball: Using Cultural Themes to Teach English

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

   This webinar will demonstrate how teachers can use one theme in American culture and society, Baseball, to give learners a toolkit for deciphering and using messages that contain a deep cultural context, no matter their source.

10. Teacher's Corner: Making Learning Fun

    Format(s): Text

    In the January Teacher’s Corner, we will look at ways to make learning fun, accessible, and meaningful in the English language classroom. Each week, we will present a fun and engaging activity that focuses on one domain of language learning: listening, speaking, reading, or writing.

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