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English Teaching Forum 2021, Volume 59, Number 4
Find strategies for using nonprofit commercials as the basis for topic-based and project-based learning … assessing learners’ productive vocabulary knowledge … helping pre-service teachers observe classes more effectively… practicing tense and aspect in a creative, collaborative activity … conducting “small talks” as warm-up and review … and much more.

ON THE COVER: Hook Mountain Picnic is a winter scene at Nyack Beach State Park in Upper Nyack, New York, on the Hudson River. It was painted by Beverley Bozarth Colgan, a watercolorist who specializes in views of beautiful landscapes in the United States. As a longtime resident of the Hudson River Valley, she has also painted views of Cape Cod (in the state of Massachusetts), national parks, and lesser known but wonderful areas. Ms. Bozarth’s work has appeared in many books and magazines, including those dedicated to gardening, architectural design, and residential improvement. Many of her original watercolors and prints can be seen at bozarthwatercolors.etsy.com

Format: Text
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International Subscriptions: English Teaching Forum is distributed through U.S. Embassies. If you would like to subscribe to the print version of English Teaching Forum, please contact the Public Affairs or Cultural Affairs section of the U.S. Embassy in your country.

U.S. Subscriptions: English Teaching Forum is exempted from the Congressional restriction on distribution of Department of State-produced materials in the United States. U.S. residents who want to order the printed edition can order from the U.S. Superintendent of Documents.

Table of Contents

Using Nonprofit Commercials to Teach EnglishExpand

The article includes suggestions of commercials on a wide range of topics that can stimulate analysis, discussion, creativity—and, of course, extensive practice using English in meaningful ways. 

Author: Christine Roell
Format: Text
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International Subscriptions: English Teaching Forum is distributed through U.S. Embassies. If you would like to subscribe to the print version of English Teaching Forum, please contact the Public Affairs or Cultural Affairs section of the U.S. Embassy in your country.

U.S. Subscriptions: English Teaching Forum is exempted from the Congressional restriction on distribution of Department of State-produced materials in the United States. U.S. residents who want to order the printed edition can order from the U.S. Superintendent of Documents.

Assessing Learners’ Productive Vocabulary Knowledge: Formats and ConsiderationsExpand

The authors acknowledge the difficulty and importance of assessing learners’ productive vocabulary knowledge and present five flexible test formats, with clear examples, that can be used for formative assessment. 

Author: Shoaziz Sharakhimov and Ulugbek Nurmukhamedov
Format: Text
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International Subscriptions: English Teaching Forum is distributed through U.S. Embassies. If you would like to subscribe to the print version of English Teaching Forum, please contact the Public Affairs or Cultural Affairs section of the U.S. Embassy in your country.

U.S. Subscriptions: English Teaching Forum is exempted from the Congressional restriction on distribution of Department of State-produced materials in the United States. U.S. residents who want to order the printed edition can order from the U.S. Superintendent of Documents.

Reader’s GuideExpand

This guide is designed to enrich your reading of the articles in this issue. You may choose to read them on your own, taking notes or jotting down answers to the discussion questions below. Or you may use the guide to explore the articles with colleagues.

Format: Text
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International Subscriptions: English Teaching Forum is distributed through U.S. Embassies. If you would like to subscribe to the print version of English Teaching Forum, please contact the Public Affairs or Cultural Affairs section of the U.S. Embassy in your country.

U.S. Subscriptions: English Teaching Forum is exempted from the Congressional restriction on distribution of Department of State-produced materials in the United States. U.S. residents who want to order the printed edition can order from the U.S. Superintendent of Documents.

Teaching Pre-service Teachers How to “See”: The Importance of Guided ObservationsExpand

The author presents the “Guided Observation Model,” designed to help pre-service teachers link what they see and hear as they observe other teachers with the methodology they have learned, getting maximum benefit from observations they conduct and “develop their understanding of language-teaching pedagogy.”

Author: Carleen Velez
Format: Text
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International Subscriptions: English Teaching Forum is distributed through U.S. Embassies. If you would like to subscribe to the print version of English Teaching Forum, please contact the Public Affairs or Cultural Affairs section of the U.S. Embassy in your country.

U.S. Subscriptions: English Teaching Forum is exempted from the Congressional restriction on distribution of Department of State-produced materials in the United States. U.S. residents who want to order the printed edition can order from the U.S. Superintendent of Documents.

Exploring Contexts: A Tense and Aspect Activity for Online and In-Person InstructionExpand

The author carefully explains how to carry out a clever but easy-to-implement activity that helps students increase their facility with tense and aspect in fun, collaborative, and creative ways. 

Author: Michael G. Watts
Format: Text
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International Subscriptions: English Teaching Forum is distributed through U.S. Embassies. If you would like to subscribe to the print version of English Teaching Forum, please contact the Public Affairs or Cultural Affairs section of the U.S. Embassy in your country.

U.S. Subscriptions: English Teaching Forum is exempted from the Congressional restriction on distribution of Department of State-produced materials in the United States. U.S. residents who want to order the printed edition can order from the U.S. Superintendent of Documents.

My Classroom: Vermont and the WorldExpand

Learn how Kaitlan Spencer uses her talents as a teacher, along with expertise in video editing and film production, to make online learning enjoyable and effective as she works with refugees and immigrants (and others) to develop their English language ability and other essential life skills.

Author: Jennifer Borch
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Small Talks: Daily Speaking Practice for Vocabulary and Grammar MasteryExpand

This is a step-by-step guide to helping students review recently learned vocabulary and grammar through quick, focused conversations with classmates at the beginning of class. Variations and suggestions for extending the activity are included. 

Author: Ephraim Viernes Domingo
Format: Text
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International Subscriptions: English Teaching Forum is distributed through U.S. embassies. If you would like to subscribe to the print version of English Teaching Forum, please contact the Public Affairs or Cultural Affairs section of the U.S. Embassy in your country.

U.S. Subscriptions: English Teaching Forum is exempted from the Congressional restriction on distribution of Department of State-produced materials in the United States. U.S. residents who want to order the printed edition can order from the U.S. Superintendent of Documents.

The Lighter Side: The “Best” PuzzleExpand

Can you complete these sentences that contain the word “best”? And can you match each completed sentence with its meaning? 

Format: Text
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U.S. Subscriptions: English Teaching Forum is exempted from the Congressional restriction on distribution of Department of State-produced materials in the United States. U.S. residents who want to order the printed edition can order from the U.S. Superintendent of Documents.

Making Marking Manageable and Other Tips Using the Split-Screen FunctionExpand

Learn how the split-screen function can simplify the process of marking assignments that your students have submitted electronically, and discover tips for using the split-screen function for other teaching purposes.

Author: Austin Pack
Format: Text
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International Subscriptions: English Teaching Forum is distributed through U.S. Embassies. If you would like to subscribe to the print version of English Teaching Forum, please contact the Public Affairs or Cultural Affairs section of the U.S. Embassy in your country.

U.S. Subscriptions: English Teaching Forum is exempted from the Congressional restriction on distribution of Department of State-produced materials in the United States. U.S. residents who want to order the printed edition can order from the U.S. Superintendent of Documents.