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1. The Teaching Toolbox: Reconciling Theory, Practice, and Language in a Teacher Training Course

   In: English Teaching Forum 2012, Volume 50, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   Noting the challenge teachers in English as a Medium of Instruction contexts face in balancing content and language instruction, the author explains a teaching toolbox technique and outlines toolbox activities that include jigsaw reading, word bank, jigsaw vocabulary, and graphic organizers.

2. Ten Characteristics of a Good Teacher

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

   The author, an experienced English teacher, combines her professional experience with her language learner experience to identify her ideal language teacher. Her top ten characteristics focus on four areas: affective characteristics including humor and enthusiasm; skills such as the use of creative tools; classroom management styles and academic knowledge. The author claims motivation thrives on success, and by adopting these characteristics, students will react positively.

3. Conditions for Teacher Research

   In: English Teaching Forum 2006, Volume 44, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   The article starts by defining teacher research and a summary of its benefits. In reviewing teacher research in the field of ELT, the author points out that such research is not enough. The author then suggests ten conditions that would increase the incidence of teacher research. Additional questions for consideration are suggested at the end that may help promote teacher research.

4. Teacher Development - What Works in the ELT Classroom? Using Robust Reasoning to Find Out

   In: English Teaching Forum 2002, Volume 40, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This article focuses on the usefulness of “robust reasoning” or reflection on one’s own teaching to discover what “works,” or what is effective and appropriate in the classroom. The author describes what “robust reasoning” is and explains how it can be used. The author states that going through such a reflection will lead teachers to definitions of effective teaching that are context appropriate and applicable to their classrooms.

5. EPA Teacher and Learner Resource Center

   Format(s): Text, Video, Website

   Looking for ways to teach about the environment to your English language learners? Check out these 12 lesson plans from the Environmental Protection Agency. There are 4 lessons for each level – beginner, intermediate, and advanced.

6. Avoiding the Blank Stare: Teacher Training with the Gradual Release of Responsibility in Mind

   In: English Teaching Forum 2014, Volume 52, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This author asserts that the Gradual Release of Responsibility (GRR) model will improve teaching abilities in any setting.

7. Teacher Resources

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This section reviews four books. “Teaching English as an International Language” by Sandra McKay relates English teaching to the use of the language around the world. “Humanizing Your Coursework” by Mario Rinvolucri offers 95 activities range from icebreakers and warm-ups to listening, speaking, and looking backwards or forwards. “Testcraft” by Fred Davidson and Brian K. Lynch addresses how to design contextual tests. “Teaching Large Level Multilevel Classes” by Natalie Hess includes 144 activities and 11 principles for teachers to cope with these types of classes.

8. Curriculum Revisions in Teacher Education during COVID-19: The Critical Reflections of Two Professors

   In: English Teaching Forum 2023, Volume 61, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   Elena King and Molly Riddle narrate the decision-making processes they applied as they revised their curricula for in-service and licensure-candidate teachers during the pandemic. The authors offer examples of how to use the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPCK) framework and provide key takeaways from their experience that can be applied productively in a variety of contexts.

9. Advocacy for Language Teacher Associations

   In: English Teaching Forum 2022, Volume 60, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   Using a case study and inviting reader reflection, Luis Javier Pentón Herrera presents four types of advocacy used by language teacher associations (LTAs) and demonstrates how those types play out in proactive by giving real-world examples; the author also proposes and explains three steps LTAs can take to become advocacy-centered organizations.

10. Contextualizing Teacher Training through Needs Analysis and Reflexivity

    In: English Teaching Forum 2023, Volume 61, Number 2 Format(s): Text

    Experienced teacher trainers Jimalee Sowell and Kevin McCaughey offer “suggestions teacher trainers might implement to improve their understanding of the local teachers they work with as well as ways of knowing the self and how the self interfaces with local contexts.” The article describes methods of needs assessment and discusses techniques for examining and understanding the self, all in the context of enhancing teacher training and professional development.

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