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1. Using L1 in the L2 Classroom

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

   There may be more to the use of L1 in the L2 classroom than previously thought. Recent findings show that L1 usage values the native culture and language of the students, allowing them to feel comfortable taking risks in English. The author distributed a questionnaire on Spanish usage to English language students and professors at a Puerto Rican university. Results showed that both students and teachers felt there were clear instances where Spanish would help understanding. The author also shares his own personal experiences as a Spanish-speaking English teacher.

2. Changing Homework Habits: Rethinking Attitudes

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

   There are a number of reasons why students forget, ignore, or reject homework, but what can a teacher do to encourage students to complete homework? The author argues that students' habits are a reflection of the teacher's attitudes about homework. The article introduces eight points that can help create a more homework-positive classroom. They include assigning the right amount of homework, always remembering to correct homework, accepting late submissions, and changing the time during the lesson you assign homework.

3. Abstracts from Other Journals

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

   “Abstracts from Other Journals” provides information on articles from CATESOL Journal, Language Testing, RELC Journal, and Prospect: An Australian Journal of TESOL. Topics include the professional development of non-native teachers of English (addressing cultural differences); the impact of the interviewer on the test results of oral interviews (like IELTS); a look at how the field of TEFL/TESL has changed over the past 30 years from the point of view of Jack C. Richards; and implementing standards (reforming curriculum and evaluating teachers).

4. Keeping Discipline in the Classroom

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

   This article discusses the challenges of keeping order in the classroom and provides suggestions for fostering an environment of mutual respect. The article looks at what students expect of teachers as well as temporary games and long-term strategies that students use to take control from the teacher. Some practical solutions to discipline problems include keeping students’ attention, establishing clear rules together, and addressing discipline problems by using nonverbal and verbal cues before reacting to the problem.

5. Assessment of Young Learners

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses how the trend towards low-anxiety, communicative-based language teaching and integrated language and content teaching has created a need to change assessment strategies for young learners. The author describes alternative assessment techniques such as nonverbal responses, oral interview, narratives, group assessment, and dialogue journals, and suggests how they can be carried out through regular classroom work.

6. Vocabulary Strategy Work for Advanced Learners of English

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This article provides several activities designed to teach strategies for learning vocabulary. The author explains why it is important to teach strategies and offers ways for students to work on strategies, from preparation to experimenting with different methods, to evaluation of the instruction. Examples are given of cognitive, memory, and metacognitive strategies that encourage students to be responsible for their own learning of vocabulary.

7. Pictures for Classroom Activities

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

   These are twenty pictures and twenty matching vocabulary cards that can be used in classroom teaching.

8. Lesson Plan: Quilting with Language

   In: English Teaching Forum 2006, Volume 44, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This lesson plan contains four activities based on the cultural content of quilts. It includes activities for teaching vocabulary and grammar, speaking, writing, and a dicto-comp activity (in which there is both dictation and composition).

9. Trees

   In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This is a thematic lesson plan for young learners about palm trees and the importance of taking care of them. The two part lesson teaches listening, reading and speaking skills. The lesson includes parts of a tree; the modal auxiliary, can; dialogues and a role play activity.

10. Listening to Diverse English Voices through Podcasts

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

    Authors Tabitha Kidwell and Hanung Triyoko explain how they introduced their students to diverse English voices from around the world by making use of freely available podcasts. The article includes descriptions of pre-listening, while-listening, and post-listening activities, a detailed sample lesson, and suggestions for free apps and podcasts from global contexts.

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