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1. Getting Students to Speak Up: Classroom Atmosphere Is Key

   In: English Teaching Forum 2022, Volume 60, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   The author describes a challenge that is familiar to many language teachers: trying to get students to speak up independently, share thoughts, and participate authentically in the target language. The article includes general and specific tips for creating a comfortable, communicative classroom environment.

2. Enhancing Learner Motivation in the EFL Classroom

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

   This session, "Enhancing Learner Motivation in the EFL Classroom," addresses how to enhance our own motivation as teachers and then explore ways to enhance the motivation of our students. We will anchor the discussion on Dörnyei’s framework of motivational teaching practices.

3. Open Classroom Communication and the Learning of Citizenship Values

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

   This article discusses the importance of fostering citizenship values in language classrooms around the world, and specifically in Morocco. Class content, student-teacher roles, classroom activities, and teacher education can promote civic values of equality, respect, responsibility, tolerance, and compassion. A learner-centered environment where there is group work, open communication, and participation, models these values. By including cultural content and engaging students with meaningful issues, teachers can increase interest and motivation.

4. Language Anxiety & Classroom Dynamics: A Study of Adult Learners

   In: English Teaching Forum 2002, Volume 40, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses the characteristics and needs of adult foreign language learners in terms of the quality of the learning environment in the classroom. It tries to answer what classroom dynamics mean and whether teachers can control and shape it. The article discusses the sources of anxiety and inhibition in the classroom and presents the traits of good classroom dynamics that make the learning environment more relaxed and learner friendly.

5. Curiosity and Comprehension

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

   This article, originally published in 1977, offers teachers techniques to pique students’ curiosity, making a case that curiosity spurs comprehension and initiative.

6. Mingle Bingo

   In: English Teaching Forum 2020, Volume 58, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   Most English teachers are familiar with mingles; Mingle Bingo adds a layer of fun in an activity that can be used as an icebreaker or as a way to reinforce language skills.

7. Opening and Closing Routines for Multi-Level Classrooms

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

   This session, "Opening and Closing Routines for Multi-Level Classrooms ," demonstrates how to create strong beginnings and endings during language lessons to help teachers meet mixed-level student needs as well as their curriculum requirements.

8. Building Autonomy through Cooperative Classroom Management

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

   This webinar demonstrates techniques that assist in creating effective cooperative and communicative classrooms, especially in classes of 20 students or more.

9. Towards Better Group Work: Seeing the Difference between Cooperation and Collaboration

   In: English Teaching Forum 2010, Volume 48, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   The author explains the difference between cooperation and collaboration in the classroom. Cooperation is students working together (each with individual tasks) for an end product, while collaboration is students interacting to create knowledge. The author discusses the strengths of collaboration and the teacher’s role. Also provided are guidelines for successful collaboration, sample activities, and frequently asked questions, such as what to do when students have emotional reactions to the group work.

10. Group Progress Charts for Young Learners

    In: English Teaching Forum, Volume 60, Number 2 Format(s): Text

    Malka N. Wickramasinghe, a teacher in Sri Lanka, shares a step-by-step guide to motivating young learners to collaborate on group tasks through the use of roles and creative, goal-oriented progress charts.

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