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1. Noun Compounds and Compressed Definitions

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses the difficulty of understanding noun compounds in professional texts in science and technology, business, medicine, law, and other areas of English for Specific Purposes (ESP). It provides techniques and activities to teach students how to decode noun compounds to see the link between definitions, which are usually familiar, and noun compounds, which are usually not familiar. These strategies can help students overcome this difficulty in reading advanced and specialized texts.

2. Using Anecdotes in Language Class

   In: English Teaching Forum 2008, Volume 46, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses the usefulness of anecdotes as a technique to stimulate learners’ interest and thus create a meaningful learning context in the second language classroom. It describes the pattern of an anecdote and how it should be formed as well as the different types of anecdotes. The article offers tips to successfully implement this technique.

3. New York, New York

   In: English Teaching Forum 2008, Volume 46, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This article describes New York City. It presents information about its history, immigration process, geography, architecture, rivers, bridges, famous buildings and parks, famous neighborhoods, arts and entertainment, and tourist attractions and activities. The article also provides useful websites about New York City. It ends with a text about the United Nations Headquarters in midtown Manhattan.

4. Lesson Plan: Exploring New York City

   In: English Teaching Forum 2008, Volume 46, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This lesson plan is based on the article that describes New York City. It includes a fact sheet to gain more detailed information about the city. The plan consists of several activities that ask students to scan for specific information as a reading skill, oral presentations skills, and writing.

5. The Lighter Side

   In: English Teaching Forum 2008, Volume 46, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   “New York City Word Search” is a crossword puzzle using vocabulary (famous buildings, famous neighborhoods, etc.) related to New York City.

6. English Prime as an Instructional Tool in Writing Classes

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses a variety of ways to incorporate E-Prime, the idea that all forms of the verb “to be” need to be replaced in writing and speaking. The author shows how this can force ESL and EFL students to improve their writing and make them to spend more time with their essays, to think critically about acceptable grammar and vocabulary, and to search for new vocabulary.

7. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Two Heads Are Better Than One

   In: English Teaching Forum 2008, Volume 46, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This article shares ideas of how English language teaching professionals can collaborate with content-area specialists effectively to create learning opportunities for students. Using nine examples and various metaphors, the authors explain three principles for effective team teaching: initiating an interdisciplinary project, establishing an interdisciplinary team, and working successfully with other disciplines by having good working relationships.

8. The Mediational Role of Language Teachers in Sociocultural Theory

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   This article describes a sociocultural view of interaction, in which teachers construct knowledge with learners. Language is a mediating factor in cognitive development. The article discusses Vygotsky and the Zone of Proximal Development. According to Vygotsky, students are capable of doing more with guidance and support than they can alone. This principle leads instructors to scaffold material just beyond the leaner’s level. When teachers and students have meaningful interaction, learning is enhanced.

9. Teacher Resources

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 3 Format(s): Text

   Two publications are summarized. First, Controversies in Applied Linguistics, edited by Barbara Seidlhofer, clarifies the issues that are at the center of controversies. The book explores and analyzes the arguments and “subcontroversies” in a neutral manner. The book does not require previous knowledge of the arguments. The second book is Linguistic Genocide in Education—or Worldwide Diversity and Human Rights? by Tove Skutnabb-Kangas. It discusses the dying off of minority languages and the importance of language diversity.

10. Student-Produced Video: Two Approaches

    In: English Teaching Forum 2008, Volume 46, Number 2 Format(s): Text

    This article introduces the idea of using video production to engage second language learners in learner-centered, project-based learning activities to motivate them to learn and participate through writing, directing, acting in, and editing a movie. The authors describe two projects. In the first project, four pairs of students each created a three-minute film. In the second project, all eight students worked together to create one long movie. The advantages and disadvantages of both approaches were discussed.

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