Most of our language use involves asking and answering questions, and in the second language classroom such exchanges tend to be rare. When there are opportunities for sharing, the teacher usually asks all the questions and the student answers. Some strategies that give students more practice in asking questions include: letting them devise and…

Approaches classroom instruction and teacher effectiveness by conceptualizing the physical milieu shaping teacher-student interactions. Lessons are viewed as a series of segments with three components (purpose, activity format, and assignment) that help characterize the instructional environment. Scripts are suggested to help regulate activity…

A system is described in which students are assigned to keep minutes for each class, read the minutes to the next class, and submit them for grading. The approach is helpful to both teachers and students throughout the course in diagnosing problems, introducing grading criteria, and reinforcing basic skills. (MSE)

Teachers' judicious use of humor in the classroom can have such positive effects as improving communication, focusing attention, provoking thought, liberating creative capacities, motivating students, and reinforcing desirable behaviors. Activities are suggested for exposing deaf students to various types of humor and helping them explore their…

Story-telling is a language-learning activity providing many opportunities for students to use language spontaneously and imaginatively. As an open-ended activity, story-telling helps students to expand literate behaviors, to explore and to spontaneously stretch composing strategies into meaningful contexts before they set their pencils to paper.…

A variety of ideas for classroom second language learning activities are presented. Most are for the intermediate level, but some beginning and advanced level activities are included. Two elements are common to all of them: regard for the cultural element in the language and maintenance of a low-risk, non-intimidating classroom atmosphere. The…

Describes team-taught courses in which the lectures of each team member are critiqued by other team members. Stresses that the result is a deeper, more critical analysis of each team member's material and of the interrelationship of their presentations. (DB)

Seventeen art activities are suggested for use in the intermediate-level class of English as a second language to review specific grammar points, provide conversation practice, and improve writing skills. In these art activities, students create their own visual aids and use them for a variety of language activities, such as: creating a family…

This handbook introduces teachers and students to the "design conversation," a classroom discussion technique with some variations that involve writing or group work. The design conversation helps students understand topics in the subject matters more deeply and explore them analytically and imaginatively. It is a critical and creative…

Describes desktop teaching which involves giving students individual topics and having them prepare lessons on those topics to share with the class. Presents the structure of desktop teaching including how to prepare, introduce, set up, implement, and evaluate it. Emphasizes that desktop teaching helps students engage in discussing and learning…

Natural and enthusiastic communication among students is a goal of every second-language class. Whole-class interaction activities promote interpersonal sharing as well as intense oral practice of targeted linguistic structures in a relaxed atmosphere. Examples are given. (Contains four references.) (Author/LB)

An English-as-a-Foreign Language instructor's repertoire of effective classroom activities is extended not only through acquiring useful, new ideas, but through adapting these activities (new and old) for varied needs and purposes. This article focuses on the potential for adaptation of one popular, communicative activity: "Find someone who..."…

Teachers can use play and humor to establish a climate conducive to learning and mastering effective skills in interpersonal communication classes. A classroom, wherein everyone is considered a teacher and student at the same time, is a classroom acknowledging students, promoting respect and acceptance of others' worldview on a wide range of…

Activities to help students overcome shyness in getting acquainted and speaking in class are offered by a high school teacher. (MF)

Discusses ways in which classroom communication can be stimulated by encouraging students to talk about their positive emotions and points out the dangers of encouraging students to voice negative emotions. Describes two classroom activities that encourage positive emotions. (SED)