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1. Using Story Jokes for Real Communication

   In: English Teaching Forum 2012, Volume 50, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   English language teachers all face the obstacle of getting their students to speak in conversational English. This article, originally published in 1996, explores the use of jokes as a way to get natural conversation going in and out of the classroom and provides activities for teachers to use with their students.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Classroom Activities

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

   This section presents three stand-alone learning activities related to the theme of bowling. A game for upper beginners is useful for sentence formation and vocabulary review on any topic. Intermediate learners can practice with imperatives by giving and following instructions on how to bowl. The final activity asks intermediate learners to engage in focused listening or reading. Extension possibilities are included for each of the three activities.

5. Classroom Activities

   In: English Teaching Forum 2012, Volume 50, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This piece offers three activities that give students practice with vocabulary, grouping of similar terms, the use of future and present tenses, and identifying grammatical categories such as adjectives, verbs, and nouns.

6. Classroom Activities

   In: English Teaching Forum 2012, Volume 50, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   Three stand-alone language-learning activities related to the theme of spring.

7. Creating a Storytelling Classroom for a Storytelling World

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

   This article explores the value of storytelling in English language learning. Strong emphasis is placed on the role that stories of personal experience play in human interaction and how these natural conversations foster a better language learning experience. The author outlines a four-step approach to help students develop conversational skills as storytellers, including techniques for improving fluency and honing listening skills.

8. Learn English Activity: Numbers, Months, Days, and Years

   In: VOA Classroom Activities Format(s): Website

   Learn your numbers, days, months and years with this activity. Level: beginner.

9. Learn English Activity: Small Talk

   In: VOA Classroom Activities Format(s): Website

   In this Business English activity learn about Small Talk.

10. Communication Practice vs. Pattern Practice or A Live Teacher Is Absolutely Necessary

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

    This article, originally published in 1971, posits that the main goal of language learning is communication and that classroom work should concentrate on developing students’ communication skills. Communication-practice drills are presented and discussed.

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