Advanced Search: Resources

1. Making the Most of Large Classes by Using Learning Teams

   In: Teacher's Corner: Common Challenges in the English Classroom Format(s): Text

   Large classes can be challenging. Learn ways to make the most of large classes by using learning teams in this week’s Teacher’s Corner.

2. Using Self-Assessment for Evaluation

   In: English Teaching Forum 2002 (Volume 40, Number 1) Format(s): Text

   This article explains the usefulness of self-assessment for learning purposes as well as evaluation purposes. The author emphasizes the ways that learners can conduct reliable, global self-assessment as well as three ways in which data-driven self-assessment can be done. The author discusses the purpose of self-assessment and provides specific instruments that can be used. The three data-driven self-assessments that are discussed include Portfolios, Pre- and Post-course writing, and Learner Contracts.

3. Using Cooperative Learning to Facilitate Alternative Assessment

   In: English Teaching Forum 2002, Volume 40, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses the use of cooperative learning, an instructional strategy that utilizes group work to structure classroom interaction, to facilitate alternative assessment in the second or foreign language classroom. It highlights the importance of cooperative learning in assessment because assessment includes both linguistic and non-linguistic objectives, and meeting these objectives requires continuous and performance-based assessment. The article offers seven examples of cooperative assessments and shows how they can be used.

4. Authentic Video in the Beginning ESOL Classroom: Using a Full-Length Feature Film for Listening and Speaking Strategy Practice

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

   Using film in the classroom can be effective with beginning English learners. A full-length film offers continuous context to discuss humor, culture, and language functions, real-life communication with images and non-verbal cues, increased retention due to activating the right hemisphere of the brain, and the lowering of students’ affective filters. The authors include a lesson based on their experience teaching listening and speaking skills using the movie “What about Bob.” Assessment techniques and potential problems are considered.

5. 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.

6. Using Group Work Effectively to Increase Student Speaking Time in Class

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

   This webinar, “Using Group Work Effectively to Increase Student Speaking Time in Class” explores several new warm-up activities and grouping strategies.

7. Animating Your Instruction: Using Comics and Graphic Novels in the English Language Classroom

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

   "Animating Your Instruction: Using Comics and Graphic Novels in the English Language Classroom" explores the popularity of illustrated stories among teachers and students alike and offers suggestions on how to use them to “animate” your classes.

8. Teaching Techniques: Using “Storybird” in Young Learners’ Creative Writing Class

   In: English Teaching Forum 2015, Volume 53, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   Major changes in technology have had an influence on education.

9. Using Evidence in Academic Writing: Avoiding Plagiarism

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

   This webinar "Using Evidence in Academic Writing: Avoiding Plagiarism" will examine cultural assumptions about the definition of plagiarism and how external sources should be used in academic writing. We will explore how and why EFL/ESL students can benefit from explicit instruction on referencing sources to avoid plagiarism. The presenter will share several practical tips and classroom activities related to teaching quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing.

10. Using L1 in the English Classroom

    In: English Teaching Forum 2002 (Volume 40, Number 1) Format(s): Text

    The author provides details on a case study she performed to examine the effectiveness of using the native language (L1) in foreign language classrooms. The article describes the details of her research design and her methods and procedures, including classroom observations, interviews, and questionnaires. One hundred first-year English major students in Beijing participated in her study. Included are the results of her study and a comparison of her findings to that of other researchers.

Pages