Advanced Search: Resources

1. Developing Teacher Leadership Skills

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

   This session, "Developing Teacher Leadership Skills: Instructional Coaching Techniques for English as a Foreign Language Educators," describes how a school can build capacity for serving English learners.

2. Looking for the Big Picture: Macrostrategies for L2 Teacher Observation and Feedback

   In: English Teaching Forum 2010, Volume 48, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   The authors describe the typical type of teacher observation and assessment used today -- top down, one-way communication from supervisor to teacher that looks at the weaknesses in the teaching. The authors believe that observation and feedback can be something more. They present six strategies for supervisors (e.g., recognizing subjectiveness, talking across the data, providing alternatives and resources). Additional suggestions include structured intervention and supervisor portfolios.

3. Module 13: Peer Observation

   In: Shaping the Way We Teach English: Successful Practices Around the World Format(s): Text, Video

   This Module of the Shaping the Way we Teach English Series focuses on peer observation.

4. The Communicative Approach: Addressing Frequent Failure

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 1 Format(s): Text

   The author found that student and teacher beliefs about error correction support a teacher-centered classroom environment. However, the notion of interlanguage suggests that language is acquired through trial and error in communicative settings. Too much correction means decreased confidence and less time for students to use the language. The author proposes that teachers reduce the amount of time they talk. Teachers need to learn more about the benefits and techniques of a communicative approach and ways to adapt material.

5. Microteaching

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This brief article introduces the reader to the microteaching procedure. Teachers in training will prepare a short microlesson of five to ten minutes in length for normally fewer than ten students. Students may be real or trainees. The lesson is videotaped and discussed with colleagues and/or supervisors. The teacher then reteaches the lesson. This help teacher reflect and grow as well as consult with peers. Suggestions for preparation and teaching of microlessons are provided.

6. Center for Applied Linguistics

   Format(s): Text, Website, Image / Poster / Maps

   The Center for Applied Linguistics offers everything from information on immersion programs to the newest research and guidance on best practices for teachers. Visit regularly to keep up to date on research-based strategies and practical hands-on tools to help develop effective classroom activities.

7. Module 1: Contextualizing Language

   In: Shaping the Way We Teach English: Successful Practices Around the World Format(s): Text, Video, Website

   This Module of the Shaping the Way we Teach English Series contains a lesson plan and accompanying video that is focused on contexualization.

8. Listen Up! Using Audio Books for English Teaching

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

   "Listen Up! Using Audio Books for English Teaching" features a webinar recording, a downloadable presentation, and classic American literature like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, along with additional resources.

9. Shaping the Way We Teach English: From Observation to Action

   Format(s): Text

   Shaping the Way We Teach English: From Observation to Action is a series of video-based training materials for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) educators.

10. Observation Web: A Reflection Technique for Observation

    In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 4 Format(s): Text

    The author shows how an observation web can be used to track the nature of activities during a lesson so they can be reflected on later. The observer uses a circular chart to mark if action in the classroom is linguistic, pragmatic, informative, teacher-centered, student-centered, individual, and/or interactive. This marking is done every five minutes. The author provides examples of traditionalist, innovative, and balanced teacher observations webs from real observations of Russian teachers. The best lessons came from teachers with more balanced webs.

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