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Student-Centered Teaching in Large Classes with Limited Resources

In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 3 Format(s): Text

The authors shares suggestions for instructors who teach large classes (from 50-80 students) with minimal resources. The challenges of managing the classroom, using pair and group work effectively, and working with limited resources are addressed. The authors suggests ways to take attendance quickly, to reduce written work to grade, to start and stop communicative activities, and to keep motivation high when students work at different speeds. Suggestions were tested by action research. Two classrooms are described.

A Paradigm Shift: From Paper-and-Pencil Tests to Performance-Based Assessment

In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 4 Format(s): Text

This article describes how The Language Center at the Espirito Santo Federal University changed from using traditional pencil-and-paper tests to performance testing, based on authentic tasks. The change was prompted because people thought that their testing did not reflect a communicative approach to language teaching. The Assessment Project lasted for two years; the author discusses its participants, goals, stages (including pilot testing), and results. Content and construct validity improved, leading to positive washback. Learning objectives and criteria for passing were clarified.

A Story-Based Framework for a Primary School Classroom

In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 4 Format(s): Text

These two story-based lesson plans were designed to address the lack of motivation and interest by students in a sixth grade English class in Greece. The lessons appeal to young learners who want to be creative and imaginative by making learning entertaining. The animal stories are authentic texts, not graded readers, with helpful visuals. They can be used with a holistic approach and provide a springboard to learning grammar and structure and to recycle vocabulary. Predicting and concentration are some of the thinking skills involved.

Rock and Roll English Teaching: Content-Based Cultural Workshops

In: English Teaching Forum 2011, Volume 49, Number 4 Format(s): Text

This article considers content-based cultural workshops. With a focus on cultural content and a relaxed, engaging atmosphere, students practice language and cooperative learning strategies. The author describes the process of developing such a workshop as an extracurricular activity for a large, mixed audience. The article details an example interactive workshop on rock and roll and includes an appendix of useful websites related to the topic.

To the Moon! — A Launch Pad for Encouraging Students to Express Their Opinions

In: English Teaching Forum 2011, Volume 49, Number 4 Format(s): Text

Writing a persuasive essay can be a challenging task. This article outlines an activity that involves developing, communicating, and exploring opinions. Students work individually to select volunteers to go to the moon. Groups then try to agree on the selection, discussing their reasons and assumptions. A number of letter-writing assignments incorporate material from the discussions. This student-centered activity can improve confidence, critical thinking skills, and writing fluency, while students learn from and challenge each other.

Create to Communicate: Sculpture

In: Create to Communicate: Art Activities for the EFL Classroom Format(s): Text

This section focused on sculpting contains six lesson plans focusing on yes/no questions, comparatives and superlatives, past and present progressive, and adverbs of frequency.

Make it Meaningful: Bringing Learning to Life with Culturally Relevant Teaching

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

This webinar discusses ways to increase student motivation and achievement through the use of culturally relevant teaching techniques.

Strategies for Engaging Young Learners

Format(s): Text

The difficulty in teaching young learners (YLs) in the EFL classroom is maintaining engagement throughout the lesson. Therefore, teachers of YLs need to incorporate activities that are meaningful, engaging, and also entertaining. This webinar will share practical tips and ideas for engaging young learners in the EFL classroom, including using fun songs with humor, using actions to accompany poetry and song lyrics, and promoting creativity. We will also focus on techniques for making input comprehensible, such as using gestures, visuals, and realia as learning tools. When using a variety of techniques and activities, children forget they are in a step-by-step language lesson, and the learning comes naturally.

Photography in English Language Teaching: Engage, Inspire, Create, Learn