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1. A Writing Picnic

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

   Author J. Perry Christensen suggests ways to turn an end-of-semester or end-of-year picnic (or other class activity) into an opportunity to let students demonstrate the writing skills they have developed throughout the semester or school year.

2. Bear Fights: An Ursine Introduction to Debating in the EFL Classroom

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

   Author Charlie Taylor describes a simple yet clever technique to introduce students to “debating” in a fun, creative way. Read the article to learn how “bears with superpowers” can help your students learn and practice basic principles of debating.   

3. A Mindful Gratitude Exercise for the English Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2023, Volume 61, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   Monica Flores Rojas describes a technique based on mindfulness—and more specifically on gratitude practice. The practice can have a positive impact on learners’ well-being while also providing opportunities for them to express their gratitude in English. The technique is recommended for learners at the intermediate level and above.

4. My Classroom: Bangladesh

   In: English Teaching Forum 2023, Volume 61, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   Learn how Asif Ahmed, teaching in a remote part of Bangladesh, has helped his students succeed in their English language learning. The article describes his classroom practices, the professional-development path he has followed, and the various ways he has contributed to the training of other teachers and the lives of many in the community where he teaches.

5. The Happiness Game: A Board Game for Almost Any Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2023, Volume 61, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   Daniel Clausen created The Happiness Game in part because he believes that “teaching should be a happy profession and that students should come out of the classroom with a smile.” The article includes a game board and sample game cards—although teachers and students are encouraged to create more of their own. The game is adaptable for multiple learning levels and is designed to give students practice in English … and, of course, to make them happy.

6. The Lighter Side: The Happiness Puzzle

   In: English Teaching Forum 2023, Volume 61, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   In this puzzle, your job is to unscramble groups of letters to spell things that happy people might do, then to fill in blanks to spell out things that make many people happy. After solving the puzzle, you are encouraged to think of your own puzzle items—or have your students create some and happily share with their classmates.

7. Developing an International Multilingual Writing Center: Lessons Learned

   In: English Teaching Forum 2023, Volume 61, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   Authors Andrea Mason Garner and Courtney Scarborough recount their experiences developing academic writing centers at two locations in Indonesia, then show how the lessons they learned can help other teachers start and operate a writing center successfully. The authors present tips for writing centers in various contexts, including those with low resources and a limited budget.

8. The Neglected Tools Can Work for You

   In: English Teaching Forum 2012, Volume 50, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This article (reprinted from 1975) offers ideas about using visual aids in the language classroom and includes specific suggestions for using such things as blackboards, flip charts, magazines, and language films.

9. The Lighter Side: "Bird Logic"

   In: English Teaching Forum 2014, Volume 52, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This puzzle invites users to compare bird facts and use logic to determine the secret numbers assigned to ten birds.

10. From Passive Learners to Critical Thinkers: Preparing EFL Students for University Success

    In: English Teaching Forum 2010, Volume 48, Number 3 Format(s): Text

    This article explains how the Bangladesh Rehabilitation Assistance Committee (BRAC) revised their curriculum to best prepare EFL students for English-speaking universities. After completing a needs analysis on how to best serve their students, the committee decided to make a more interactive classroom environment in which teachers integrated the four skills, used critical thinking activities, taught grammar in context, and used various methods of assessment. Feedback showed that both the students and the teachers responded positively to the changes.

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