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1. Using Favorite Songs and Poems with Young Learners

   In: English Teaching Forum 2006, Volume 44, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   In this article, the author discusses the benefits of using songs and poems to teach young learners. The author explains how songs and poems can be used in English class and what their benefits are. The author explains how teachers can use actions or puppets to accompany the selected songs or poems, or allow young learners to create ideas themselves. Each suggestion includes an activity. The author also offers an example of a song chart.

2. Hidden Pictures: An Integrated Speaking and Listening Activity

   In: English Teaching Forum 2024, Volume 62, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   Author Heather Gaddis provides a detailed, step-by-step description of an original activity in which students examine and describe pictures that are similar to one another. The author includes suggestions for adapting the activity for different purposes and for integrating themes—which teachers can choose—into the activity for targeted practice.

3. Understanding and Teaching Generation Y

   In: English Teaching Forum 2012, Volume 50, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This article responds to the challenges of teaching Generation Y students, who are tech-savvy and feedback-dependent visual learners. Because "Gen Y" students are less likely to engage with traditional classroom teaching methods, this article is helpful in identifying specific activities teachers can employ to utilize students' attraction to digital media, multi-tasking, and a sense of global purpose.

4. The E-pet: Enhancing Motivation in E-portfolios

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

   The authors wanted to make EAP portfolios more engaging and personal for students, so they introduced an e-pet to accompany the online portfolio program. The e-pet (much like a tamagotchi) grows from an egg into adulthood when the students interact with it through portfolio submissions. Teachers reported that students were enthusiastic about the e-portfolio and the e-pet. Student questionnaires showed a similar trend, with several students saying that the e-pet made the portfolio project motivating. The article includes directions for e-portfolio design.

5. Tools for Activating Materials and Tasks in the English Language Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2009, Volume 47, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This article presents techniques to make classroom materials and tasks more interactive and student-centered and thus motivate learners to take more control over their own learning. It demonstrates these techniques through elicitation, gapping, and adaptation/extension strategies. The article offers examples of classroom activities with detailed instructions to show how teachers can use materials and tasks in the English language classroom to address students’ interests, needs, and goals.

6. Going Green: Merging Environmental Education and Language Instruction

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

   This article discusses content-based instruction (CBI) and the theme of environmental awareness in the classroom. It addresses not only recycling and preservation of resources, but also integrating English skills and controversial issues into real-world situations. The article presents teachers with examples of group activities and opportunities for critical thinking and encouraging responsibility among their students.

7. Strategies for Engaging Young Learners

   Format(s): Text

   The difficulty in teaching young learners (YLs) in the EFL classroom is maintaining engagement throughout the lesson. Therefore, teachers of YLs need to incorporate activities that are meaningful, engaging, and also entertaining. This webinar will share practical tips and ideas for engaging young learners in the EFL classroom, including using fun songs with humor, using actions to accompany poetry and song lyrics, and promoting creativity. We will also focus on techniques for making input comprehensible, such as using gestures, visuals, and realia as learning tools. When using a variety of techniques and activities, children forget they are in a step-by-step language lesson, and the learning comes naturally.

8. Word Bricks-Sentence Challenge

   In: Activate: Games for Learning American English - Word Bricks Format(s): Text

   With the game Sentence Challenge, learners practice sentence structure in a fun, collaborative way. Teams work to create the longest sentence possible out of their Word Bricks. Then, the opposing teams ‘challenge’ a sentence if they believe there is an error.

9. Building Global Citizenship through Intercultural Language Teaching

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

   This webinar, "Building Global Citizenship through Intercultural Language Teaching," shares research-based teaching strategies to help students develop intercultural communicative competence while sustaining their own cultural heritage.

10. Increase Student Motivation with Universal Design in Mind

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

    Increase Student Motivation with Universal Design in Mind," explores how incorporating a UDL approach can lead to classroom instruction that fosters creativity and student autonomy, while increasing learners’ motivation.

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