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1. MA KINGS ENS EOF WORDS

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

   This article, "Making Sense of Words", stresses the importance of vocabulary because of its role in communicative competence. Corpus linguistics has changed the way we consider vocabulary teaching, from isolated words to language chunks and fixed expressions. It has shown us differences between spoken and written English. This article looks at what it means to know a word and the principles and techniques to develop vocabulary. The author recommends teaching vocabulary explicitly, including collocates and word parts. He encourages teachers to update their own knowledge of how to discuss and approach vocabulary.

2. Selecting Authentic Materials

   In: Teacher's Corner – Teaching with Authentic Materials Format(s): Text

   Authentic materials are an excellent resource in any teaching context. Sometimes educators work at institutions that provide lots of materials, while others may only provide a few or none at all.

3. Poems About Identity and Self

   In: Poetry Format(s): Text

   Are you a poet looking for inspiration? Check out these poems about identity written by learners from around the world!

4. Week 4 - The Elevator Pitch

   In: Teacher's Corner: Teaching Business English and Entrepreneurship Format(s): Text

   Show students how to develop and perform an elevator pitch for a company idea in this week’s Teacher’s Corner.

5. Making Listening Fun

   In: Teacher's Corner: Making Learning Fun Format(s): Text

   Listening is an important skill for English language learners to master. This week’s Teacher’s Corner will look at some easy ideas to make listening activities fun!

6. To Teach Standard English or World Englishes? A Balanced Approach to Instruction

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

   What is Standard English? This article talks about the problem in defining this term. Teaching the standard inner-circle varieties of English may devalue students' local English, but the authors note that teaching the local variety may cause problems for students who need to talk with non-local speakers. The solution is a balanced approach that is culturally and contextually sensitive, values learner language, and prepares students for intercultural communication. Example activities are provided.

7. Using Mobile Phone Technology in EFL Classes

   In: English Teaching Forum 2008, Volume 46, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This article explains how students can use their mobile phones to produce video projects and use English for meaningful communication. The author first explains what communicative competence is and why it is important. The author then discusses difficulties of putting principles of communicative language teaching into practice, which is the main rationale behind the author’s idea. Finally, the author describes four video projects and several activities based on mobile phone features.

8. Story 14: Do You Speak English?

   In: Why English? Comics for the Classroom Format(s): MP3, Text

   The stories in Why English? Comics for the Classroom – written by teenagers and young adults – will appeal to learners of all ages. These stories provide an enjoyable opportunity to increase vocabulary, reading comprehension, listening, speaking, and writing.

9. Summative Assessments and Aligning Activities

   In: Teacher's Corner: Collecting and Using Data Format(s): Text

   This week’s Teacher’s Corner focuses on options for summative assessment activities and rubrics.

10. Activate: Games for Learning American English

    Format(s): Text

    Are you looking for fun, meaningful activities to use in your classroom? Check out these board games! Game themes require students to produce certain types of expressions, so they practice a variety of vocabulary, grammatical patterns, and functional meanings.

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