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1. Open Classroom Communication and the Learning of Citizenship Values

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

   This article discusses the importance of fostering citizenship values in language classrooms around the world, and specifically in Morocco. Class content, student-teacher roles, classroom activities, and teacher education can promote civic values of equality, respect, responsibility, tolerance, and compassion. A learner-centered environment where there is group work, open communication, and participation, models these values. By including cultural content and engaging students with meaningful issues, teachers can increase interest and motivation.

2. U.S. National Parks: Protecting Nature and Providing Enjoyment

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

   This feature article on national parks is appropriate for use with higher intermediate or advanced learners. It offers vivid photos and describes the history of national parks, their creation, management, and expansion. The author discusses features of parks from different regions of the country: Acadia National Park (Maine), Denali National Park and Preserve (Alaska), Everglades National Park (Florida), Glacier National Park (Montana), and Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona). Information about the national parks conservation association and the national park foundation is also included.

3. Lesson Plan: Going Green

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

   The lesson plan, “Going Green,” allows students to develop research and problem-solving skills on the theme of environmental conservation. The lesson includes a glossary of environmental terms. It uses a learner-centered approach as learners work in groups to determine their topic, the vocabulary they want to learn, how to collect information, how to report it (qualitatively or quantitatively), and what action to take based on the results. Students report their findings and action plan in a poster presentation. Creative writing, a debate, or a "green fair" are optional extensions.

4. The Lighter Side: National Park Symbols

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

   “National Park Symbols” is a matching activity in which students match the symbol of a park activity to its meaning.

5. Rules and Laws

   In: English Teaching Forum 2001, Volume 39, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This article presents a lesson that gives students the opportunity to explore aspects of rules and laws. The goal of the lesson is to help students learn vocabulary and concepts associated with the topic, practice their English language skills, and develop an understanding of the role of rules and laws in civil societies. The article shares three activities for a fifty-minute lesson plan, but the authors state that teachers may modify the lesson for their own contexts and student needs.

6. A Judicious Lesson: A Whole-learning Reading Activity

   In: English Teaching Forum 2001, Volume 39, Number 2 Format(s): Text

   This article discusses the use of whole-reading activities in a university level reading and speaking course. The author used a magazine article about a murder and a trial to develop a four-week unit in which students investigated ideas about crime, punishment, rhetorical strategies, idiomatic language, and the United States' judicial system. Through the use of this unit, the author advocates for readings and activities that challenge students to move beyond comprehension of a text.

7. 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.

8. VOA Podcast: President Obama Wins Second Term

   In: VOA Podcasts: Shows in Special English Format(s): Website

   Listen to Voice of America (VOA) Podcast:President Obama Wins Second Term. Podcast from VOA Learning English: News Report in Special English. Stories are written at the intermediate and upper-beginner level and are read one-third slower than regular VOA English.

9. VOA Podcasts: Shows in Special English

   Format(s): Website

   Articles and corresponding audio on American Life and history for English learners. Read the articles and listen online, or download free podcasts.

10. Article with Activity: Free Speech - It is a Guarantee in America

    In: VOA Articles with Activities Format(s): Video, Website

    Activities for learning English. Listen to the article and read along. Then test your vocabulary with activities and exercises.

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