In a world where more and more emphasis is being put on the importance of teaching leadership skills to work ready undergraduate students, instructors are often met with the challenge of finding current, engaging, real world examples to use in their classrooms. In the case of this application, the instructors propose the use of the characters and…

Good teachers are lifelong learners and want to meet the needs of all of the students in the classroom. Yet, they never have all the answers. Many teachers have found themselves in a predicament of uncertainty and have become apprehensive about their own practices. They can benefit from professional development and supports. Through collaborative…

Indiana's declining SAT scores prompted the publisher of a statewide magazine covering the literary, performing, and visual arts to take action and create a program to use the magazine as a supplemental resource for students. It was believed that such a supplemental resource could enhance critical thinking and writing skills and help raise SAT…

This paper in the form of an outline addresses the use of songs and instrumental music throughout the English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) curriculum. The rationale for using music in general, and specifically using popular songs and instrumental music, are noted. Criteria for selection of music for classroom use are listed, and a taxonomy is…

It is argued that there is a great need to integrate critical thinking instruction in courses in English for academic purposes (EAP) and English as a Second Language (ESL). Three primary components of critical thinking are identified: understanding the author's intended meaning; synthesizing all available information, which also includes…

This paper describes how comic books are used as instructional materials in an intensive English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) course and discusses the rationale for using them. The students in the course have low-intermediate English language skills with limited discourse and interactive competence. Comic books are used because they are authentic,…

Ways in which the French teacher can use print media for language skill development are offered. Classroom techniques for exploiting these texts for instruction in grammar, reading comprehension, writing, and oral expression are presented, including ideas for selecting a variety of authentic materials. (MSE)

Suggestions are offered on the use of animated lectures on CD-ROM into the curriculum of an upper-intermediate-level course in English-as-a-second-language speaking and listening. The technique is recommended as a means of sharpening student listening skills and preparing students for real-life lectures in college. Animated lectures were drawn…

Commercially produced films and videotapes are recommended as effective tools for developing speaking, listening, and writing skills in English as a second language. It is suggested that their use with content-area instruction, where films and videotapes provide relevant schema background, makes language relevant and comprehensible. Practical…

A discussion of the use of dialogues in second language instruction focuses on uses of the techniques that are more appropriate than those used in the era of audio-lingual methodology. It is argued that during this period, dialogues were overused. Techniques are offered for use of dialogues to develop learners' listening and speaking skills.…

A teacher of English in a college-level intensive English language program describes a method for stimulating speech in high-intermediate and advanced students, using short stories. It is argued that in short stories, the themes are universal, and even shy students are willing to discuss this form of literature in class. Criteria for selecting…

This digest examines reading approaches, identifies characteristics of fluent readers, and makes suggestions for developing reading instruction for adult English language learners. The reading instruction methods described include the phonics, psycholinguistic, interactive, and critical literacy approaches. Fluent readers are defined as those who…

A discussion of the use of voice as an effective tool in second language instruction examines the role of teachers as readers, the process of selecting and interpreting texts, preparation of reading passages, and reading aloud in class. The dimension of voice added to other aspects of language emphasizes the communicative purpose of the language,…

The use of language for real communication is of primary importance in bringing a foreign language to life for students. Native speakers can make a class come alive, and teachers should explore the possibilities for bringing exchange students and teachers into the school. Realia and foreign language children's books are also interesting to…

Major learning models pertaining to second language oral and writing instruction are explored with an intent to make practical suggestions for the field of second language instruction in Japan. A proposal for integrating a variety of instructional innovations, rather than incorporating isolated innovations is presented. Selection of appropriate…