In this article, we describe the peer-response workshop we conducted in an ethnically and linguistically diverse secondary school classroom in an urban center in the southwest. We show how the three main parts of the workshop combine to help students cultivate writing relationships in which they see writing as social and co-constructed, rather…

The authors explore the importance of talk and interaction for learning, particularly in relation to new K-12 standards and the prominent role of academic language in today's educational contexts. The article concludes with a detailed example of a Grade 6 teacher's use of content and language objectives to address the needs and strengths of all…

Two professors at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock co-taught an interdisciplinary course in speaking and writing dialogically, that is, without lecture. Given that many learning environments include large enrollments and online instruction, both of which often foster an impersonal atmosphere, it seemed that dialogic instruction might…

Vocabulary development is a crucial aspect of literacy. It is our duty as teachers to enrich the language of our students to better prepare them for a successful lifetime of communication. This paper offers several methods to enhance levels of speech in the classroom. Some of the techniques included are the use of repetitive reading, reading…

Despite teachers' best intentions, traditional whole-class discussions sometimes end up sounding like the monotonous drone of Charlie Brown's teacher. But with careful planning, teachers can structure discussions that encourage meaningful student interaction and collaborative thinking, write Laura Billings and Terry Roberts of the…

This article discusses practical ways to incorporate theater concepts into the ESL classroom. The notion of a theater ensemble lends itself well to group work in language learning. I have used my experience auditioning, participating in theater games, and improv techniques to encourage second language learning through public speaking, group…

Juncture phonemes are very important sound structures in applied phonetics and phonology. Therefore, they must be taught properly to so that non-native students of English language can master the spoken form of the target language. In phonetics, they are the features in speech that enable a hearer to detect a beginning, word boundary, ups and…

A procedure for implementing a 24-day intensive language course that involves eight thematic lesson plans uses a 3-day cycle of instruction based on the Lozanov method. The classroom is organized to be as free as possible from typical classroom associations, using chairs in a semi-circle without tables or desks. The first 3 days are structured to…

Classroom activities used in acting courses that can be useful in developing French second language skills are described. Appropriate adaptations for variety, different purposes, and different skill levels are discussed. (MSE)

The process of teaching a class of adult students of diverse language background the linguistic and conceptual skills necessary for debate in French is described. Students studied the construction of persuasive discourse through the use of articulating terms and phrases and analyzed their use in producing coherent argument in texts. (MSE)

Describes several techniques using older technology to develop listening and speaking skills, and explains how readily available materials (transparencies, slides and tape shows, miming and pairing, commercial video, audiotapes, videotapes) can be used effectively in the classroom as well as in the laboratory. (seven references) (GLR)

Describes techniques which enable high school teachers to use German in their classes as a means of communication and not just as an abstract problem for students to master. Covers using different media techniques, students as teachers, different approaches to the textbook, culture materials, and oral interview tests. (EKN)

The development, testing, and classroom use of an instructional module for teaching French intonation patterns to beginning students are described. The module begins with the "accent tonique," the simplest of French intonation patterns, which the student must learn to detect and imitate in progressively more difficult combinations before going on…

With recent developments in assessment and syllabus formats in Ireland, the foreign language classroom has changed considerably, especially in the promotion of oral skills at the upper levels. Differences are found in the variety of classroom activities, with the emphasis now on group activities, and in the organization of learning and…

This book provides practical strategies and tools for assessing and teaching even the most hard to reach English language learners across the content areas. Syrja offers educators the latest information on working with ELLs (including using formative assessments) and provides a wealth of classroom-tested models and measures. These tools have…