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1. Getting Teens to Really Work in Class

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

   This article explains the brain development and behavior of teenagers as well as their special needs. The authors offer English language learning activities that meet the need for physical movement, social interaction, and reduced stress.

2. Entrepreneurship and Student Motivation

   In: English Teaching Forum 2014, Volume 52, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article describes a three-week project-based unit on entrepreneurship conducted with students in communications classes in an Academic English context.

3. The Role of Humor and Language Play in the English Language Classroom

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

   In this webinar, we discuss theories and practical strategies regarding the use of humor and language play in the English language classroom.

4. A Writing Picnic

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

   Author J. Perry Christensen suggests ways to turn an end-of-semester or end-of-year picnic (or other class activity) into an opportunity to let students demonstrate the writing skills they have developed throughout the semester or school year.

5. A Mindful Gratitude Exercise for the English Classroom

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

   Monica Flores Rojas describes a technique based on mindfulness—and more specifically on gratitude practice. The practice can have a positive impact on learners’ well-being while also providing opportunities for them to express their gratitude in English. The technique is recommended for learners at the intermediate level and above.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Using Mobile Phone Technology in EFL Classes

   In: English Teaching Forum 2008, Volume 46, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This article explains how students can use their mobile phones to produce video projects and use English for meaningful communication. The author first explains what communicative competence is and why it is important. The author then discusses difficulties of putting principles of communicative language teaching into practice, which is the main rationale behind the author’s idea. Finally, the author describes four video projects and several activities based on mobile phone features.

9. Creating Positive Attitudes Towards English as a Foreign Language

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

   The author reviews research on the connections between attitudes and language learning, and between attitudes and motivation. The article suggests that language learners’ motivation and attitudes can influence learning outcomes, and that effective teaching can change negative attitudes. It describes a classroom action research project that was carried out among 95 students in Turkey to examine attitudes and motivation for English learning. Results and possible factors are discussed with regard to the students’ attitudes and motivation.

10. SWELL: A Writing Method to Help English Language Learners

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

    Social-interactive Writing for English Language Learners (SWELL) is collaborative writing based on Topping’s Paired Writing Method. The method was changed to meet the needs of English language learners. In both methods, pairs are formed according to proficiency, pairing a more advanced student (a Helper) with a less advanced one (a Writer). The author describes the steps of generating ideas, drafting, reading, editing, best copy, and evaluating. Features of SWELL include using students’ linguistic knowledge (L1), balancing fluency with mechanics, and promoting explicit teacher instruction.

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