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1. Teaching Prepositions to Very Young Learners: The Case of On

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

   The author discusses the benefits of applying cognitive linguistics, L1 acquisition, and neo-Vygotskian (Vygotsky) approaches to the teaching of a second language to young learners, using the example of teaching the preposition “on.” The author briefly reviews how prepositions are taught to adult learners and the challenges of teaching prepositions to young learners. The author then discusses two different meanings of “on” and how Total Physical Response (TPR) activities can be used to help young learners distinguish different meanings of “on.”

2. Managing Volunteers in Language Teacher Associations

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

   Author Nikki Ashcraft gives background information about language teacher associations (LTAs), then presents a detailed guide for managing volunteers, including analyzing needs, recruiting, matching volunteers with tasks, orienting and training, supervising and evaluating, and acknowledging volunteer contributions.

3. English Teaching Forum 2010, Volume 48, Number 3

   Format(s): Text

   Baseball is the focus of this issue. "Baseball: A National Tradition" offers an in-depth look at this popular American sport, while the Lesson Plan provides activities to interest students in baseball. Other articles in this issue discuss teaching critical thinking to prepare EFL students for university success, setting up oral homework, using mobile phones in the language classroom, and an innovative way to use literature to teach advanced EFL students.

4. English Teaching Forum 2010, Volume 48, Number 4

   Format(s): Text

   This issue features American football. The Athletes, Actions, and Adjectives lesson plan introduces basic ideas about U.S. football team names. Following up, The Lighter Side provides puzzles related to football. Other articles discuss using 'I-can' statements to promote confidence in writing, writing professional articles, macrostrategies for L2 teacher observation and feedback, and low-cost teaching tools.

5. English Teaching Forum 2009, Volume 47, Number 2

   Format(s): Text

   The spotlight is on New Mexico. Accompanying the feature article is a lesson plan designed to teach students about the state’s climate and energy issues. Other articles focus on World Englishes, organizational skills that aid language learning, public speaking tasks in English language learning, ways to make university English classes more interactive, and video recording in teacher training.

6. Integrating Indigenous Cultures into English Language Teaching

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

   The authors present a variety of EFL lesson plans focused on various cultures of the world (e.g., Bantu storytelling, Maori tattoos, Native American star quilts). Teachers are encouraged to help students connect with their own cultures to keep them alive.

7. Some Suggestions for Academic Writing Instruction at English Teacher Training Colleges

   In: English Teaching Forum 2008, Volume 46, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This article presents practical suggestions and tasks to make it easier to teach second language academic writing at the college level. It discusses the necessity of a warm-up period in which learners produce first drafts in pairs or small groups and do peer error correction. The article offers tasks such as reacting to an academic review, comparing two academic articles, and summarizing academic articles.

8. Reciprocal Teaching: A Useful Tool in Increasing Student-Talking Time

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 2 Format(s): Text

   Reciprocal Teaching (RT) can be used to increase student talk time and improve communicative competence. This strategy uses paraphrasing, reported speech, question formation and concept-checking to promote dialogue. As students move from short responses toward longer conversations (or language for transactional purposes), their fluency and retention increase. These “long turns” provide important practice. The author also emphasizes the importance of prompts for lower-level students. The article includes examples of each strategy as well as several axioms of reciprocal teaching.

9. Teaching Reading to Speakers of Non-Romanized Languages

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 3 Format(s): Text

   This article offers tips for teaching reading to speakers of non-Romanized languages. The author explains how initial lessons of the text “Let’s Read: A Linguistic Approach” by Bloomfield and Barnhart can be modified to address challenges that many Asian and Middle Eastern EFL learners face. The lessons address the alphabet, linking letters to sounds, and focusing on vowels in beginning reading. Rhyming and minimal pairs build connections between symbols and phonetic values. The lessons build a foundation for future reading. Teachers of any age group may find this article useful.

10. To Teach Standard English or World Englishes? A Balanced Approach to Instruction

    In: English Teaching Forum 2009, Volume 47, Number 2 Format(s): Text

    What is Standard English? This article talks about the problem in defining this term. Teaching the standard inner-circle varieties of English may devalue students' local English, but the authors note that teaching the local variety may cause problems for students who need to talk with non-local speakers. The solution is a balanced approach that is culturally and contextually sensitive, values learner language, and prepares students for intercultural communication. Example activities are provided.

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