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Using Public Speaking Tasks in English Language Teaching

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

There are advantages to using public speaking tasks in the L2 classroom. Among them are the ability to use the four skills (e.g., when responding to audience questions, creating a presentation, or writing notes), the development of critical thinking skills, and the opportunity that public speaking provides for sharing information. The author offers guidelines and figures to illustrate the steps involved in supporting students in their research, demonstration, and review.

Language Teaching through Critical Thinking and Self-Awareness

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

This article contains a wealth of activities that will help students develop critical thinking skills. These fun and dynamic activities raise students’ self-awareness regarding their perceptions, assumptions, prejudices, and values. The author addresses the teacher's role in helping students think differently and consider ideas from multiple points of view. To encourage critical thinking, assessment should not rely on summary and definition questions, but those that require analysis, hypothesis, and evaluation. A rationale for the importance of critical thinking is provided from a cognitive perspective.

Teaching the World's Children: ESL for Ages Three to Seven

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

This article discusses teaching English as a second language to very young learners. The authors talks about how important it is for children to have a wide variety of experiences when building language and literacy. The authors explain how the use of various environments, including learning centers, block centers, art or sand tables, writing areas, science and technology centers, and even libraries, can help shape the way a child learns language as well as improve other skills.

Teaching ESL Versus EFL

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

The author argues for different teaching approaches in EFL vs. ESL settings. He points out the differences in student motivation and suggests how to select different activities for the two contexts (with examples of relevant activities). He gives guidelines for the appropriate role of L1 in each classroom, and explains how the two classroom cultures differ (for example, in term of the learning styles of the students). He argues that keeping in mind these differences will help educators make more effective decisions for their students.

Applying Current Approaches to the Teaching of Reading

In: English Teaching Forum 2006, Volume 44, Number 1 Format(s): Text

This article discusses different approaches to reading instruction for EFL learners based on theoretical frameworks. The author starts with the bottom-up approach to reading instruction, and briefly explains phonics and behaviorist ideas that inform this instructional approach. The author then explains the top-down approach and the new cognitive perspective. The author also explains schema theory and how to apply it to help students before, during, and after reading. The interactive model is then discussed.

Teacher's Corner: Making Learning Fun

Format(s): Text

In the January Teacher’s Corner, we will look at ways to make learning fun, accessible, and meaningful in the English language classroom. Each week, we will present a fun and engaging activity that focuses on one domain of language learning: listening, speaking, reading, or writing.

Teaching Techniques: Give or Take? Test Review in the ESL/EFL Classroom

In: English Teaching Forum 2016, Volume 54, Number 1 Format(s): Text

“Give or Take?” is a fun game that teachers can use to review vocabulary in the English as a second language or foreign language (ESL/ EFL) classroom.

American English Live - How Routines Support Effective Classroom Management and Teacher Planning

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

This session, "Got Consistency? How Routines Support Effective Classroom Management and Teacher Planning," explores simple techniques to implement everyday routines that maximize student agency, learning, and participation while also increasing overall teaching efficacy.

Teacher's Corner: Travel and Tourism