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1. Thanksgiving Day

   In: Celebrate! Holidays in the U.S.A. Format(s): Text

   Thursday is Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. It is a day to gather with family and friends and enjoy a traditional meal. Learn about the history of this holiday and how people celebrate it today.

2. Incorporating Interactive Vocabulary Activities into Reading Classes

   In: English Teaching Forum 2001, Volume 39, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   Incorporating Interactive Vocabulary Activities into Reading Classes is an article in volume 39, issue 1 of English Teaching Forum, a quarterly journal published by the U.S. Department of State for teachers of English as a foreign or second language.

3. Introduction

   In: American Teens Talk! Format(s): E-book, Text

   The interviews in American Teens Talk! give learners a view into the lives of adolescents in the U.S. Through the written and audio format of the interviews, learners are able to increase their vocabulary, practice their reading and listening skills, engage in discussions, and learn more about U.S. culture.

4. Wordmaster

   Format(s): Website

   Readings and corresponding podcasts on American English usage, produced by Voice of America.

5. Extra Work or Work Extra: Five Steps for Studying Vocabulary

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 4 Format(s): Text

   An instructor shares a plan for extra study that helped struggling students learn vocabulary. Students selected five words from each unit of their class text. A sample of words from the text “Raise the Issues” and reasons for choosing them are included. The five steps used to learn the words were learning pronunciation, recognizing other word forms, using the dictionary, reading the word in context, and using the word in context. Scaffolding for writing with the word is provided. This method was more successful and more popular than extra quizzes for low-achieving students.

6. American Teens Talk!

   Format(s): MP3, Text

   Americans Teens Talk! is a collection of interviews of American high school students in both written and audio format. Each interview is accompanied by vocabulary notes and discussion questions.

7. Classroom Activities

   In: English Teaching Forum 2012, Volume 50, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This "Classroom Activities" features three stand-alone language-learning activity related to the theme of summer.

8. The Blues: Grammar and Glossary

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This is the last of a four-part series on the American musical style called “Blues.” The music grew out of the musical traditions of African slaves in the United States between 1619 and 1863, blended with the musical styles of Europe. It is closely related to Jazz. Blues and Jazz are the only two completely unique musical styles created in the United States. This section, as the title suggests, explains the words used in discussing the Blues and music in general, for example the use of “Blues” to mean more than just a color.

9. Finding New Messages in Television Commercials

   In: English Teaching Forum 2002, Volume 40, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses the use of television commercials to help build English vocabulary and cultural awareness for students who are preparing for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in an English as a foreign language (EFL) environment. It presents activities as well as a general outline for teachers to show how these activities can be used.

10. Alaska! The Last Frontier

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

    This article describes Alaska, the 49th state of the U.S. It presents facts about Alaska’s native people and their life style, history, transportation, and education. It also provides a text about “Iditarod,” which is an annual sled-dog race, held in Alaska since 1973.

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