Our February theme on the American English at State Facebook page is Critical Thinking and Problem Solving. On the American English for Educators Facebook page our February theme is Embracing Social Media. Feel free to download our graphics and use them on your U.S. Government associated Facebook pages. They can be found in Box and Sharepoint.
American English LIVE Teacher Development Series 13 will have its next session on March 2nd. The fourth session, “Using Authentic Materials and Skills ” will take place at 8am and 1pm ET.” Throughout the entire series, we’ll be celebrating 60 years of English Teaching Forum with webinars presented by FORUM authors. Promotional graphics and discussion posts are included with this week’s materials.
The most recent issue of English Language Forum is now available on the American English website. The (Vol. 59, No. 4) issue features articles on the following topics, among others: strategies for using nonprofit commercials as content, assessing learners’ productive vocabulary knowledge, helping pre-service teachers observe classes more productively, practicing tense and aspect in a creative, and a collaborative activity. The My Classroom article focuses on a teacher in Vermont (and Michigan) whose online work reaches learners around the world. Authors in this issue represent Germany, Uzbekistan, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States. Please spread the word about the release of this issue!
The American English YouTube channel now has over 106,000 subscribers and 808 videos! Our featured video is about Communicative Classroom Activities. Do you want to create a communicative classroom? Check out this video to learn about activities you can use to give students opportunities for interaction and practice.
Check out our latest set of materials and project, Sing Out Loud Word Play. Word Play is an exciting program between American English, American Music Abroad, and American Voices to bring music and lyrics into the English language classroom around the world. These materials include .mp3’s of original music by American Music Abroad musicians, lesson plans, activities, and a video series all of which are downloadable to use in the classroom. Be sure to check out these great resources on the American English Website.
The Office of English Language Programs will be celebrating the 60th Anniversary of English Teaching Forum (FORUM) in 2022. We have officially launched the celebration with a series of webinars, all presented by past authors of FORUM, regular social media posts highlighting and celebrating the 60th Anniversary, and much more. The social media toolkit can be found in SharePoint and Box. Please use to plan activities you may want to do to celebrate FORUM in 2022 and to amplify this celebration.
Online Professional English Network (OPEN) MOOCs: English for Career Development, English for Science, Technology, and Mathematics (STEM), English for Journalism, English for Business & Entrepreneurship, English for Media Literacy for Educators, Assessment of English Language Learners, are open for enrollment. More details about all MOOCs and links can be found below.
Be sure to check out our American English Materials. You can find copies of our materials at the following links. The Global Guide to English Language Programming in American Spaces can be found in Box and on the American English Website. The updated Picture U.S. edition 2021, is in Box and on the AE website. The Online Program Material Guides – Teacher’s Guide to Creating Lessons with MOOCs, MOOC Camp Guide for Facilitators, and Virtual Watch Party guide is in Box and on the AE website.
If you have a USG colleague who would like to receive this weekly email, please input their information in this Microsoft Form.
American English for Educators Facebook Page
Description: The American English for Educators Facebook Page is aimed toward engaging English language teachers around the world.
February’s Theme: Embracing Social Media
Graphics that are in the Box and Sharepoint for you to cross-post/use:
- #SELSunday: art activity
- Our #MotivationMonday graphic shares a quote: “You are responsible for everything you post and everything you post will be a reflection of you.”
- #MaterialsMonday: Celebrate President’s Day
- #TeachingTip: twitter stories
- #WordyWednesday features theme-related vocabulary; this week’s term is realia
- #ThoughtfulThursday: challenges
- Assessment MOOC Vocabulary: formative assessment, summative assessment
- Our #SolveThisScenario series this week is about resistance to social media use
- We will continue sharing teaching tips from English Teaching Forum, classroom management techniques, and additional resources from americanenglish.state.gov.
- English Teaching Forum 60th Celebration Graphics: authors, 25th anniversary
- American English LIVE Teacher Development Series 13 will have its next session on March 2nd. The fourth session, “Using Authentic Materials and Skills ” will take place at 8am and 1pm ET. Promotional graphics and discussion posts are included with this week’s materials.
- Holidays: World Day of Social Justice, International Mother Language Day, President’s Day
American English for Educators Teachers’ Corner
Description: The Teacher’s Corner section of the American English for Educators page will present and focus on themes from articles published in English Teaching Forum to celebrate FORUM’s 60th anniversary.
February Theme: Embracing Social Media
February Forum Article: Embracing Social Media to Engage Students and Teach Narrative Writing
This Week’s Content:
- Week 4 of our Embracing Social Media content will focus on Communication & Community-Building.
- We’ll explore the reasons teachers might communicate about what students are doing in the classroom with students’ families and the wider community.
- Expert Jennifer Borch’s will share her tips for choosing the best social media platform for school or classroom communication.
- We’ll present three examples of school/family communication, using three different social media platforms.
- We’ll share some rich online resources related to virtual professional learning networks and online communities for hybrid teachers.
Link to page: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanEnglishforEducators
American English Live Teacher Development Series 13
American English Live: Teacher Development Series 13 begins on January 19, 2022! Throughout the entire series, we’ll be celebrating 60 years of English Teaching Forum with webinars presented by ETF authors, including RELOs Lottie Baker and Kevin McCaughey!
Series 13 events take place every other Wednesday from January 19th through March 30th at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Eastern Time from Washington, DC. To join these sessions, go to the @AmericanEnglishforEducators Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AmericanEnglishforEducators) at those times on the event dates. Check the local broadcast times in your region here: bit.ly/ChecktheTime
At the end of each free session, you can complete a short quiz to earn a digital participation badge!
Optional Certificate Language:
To learn about opportunities to connect with other participants and a chance to earn an e-certificate when you attend 4 out of 6 sessions, contact your Regional English Language Office or local U.S. Embassy: https://americanenglish.state.gov/support-near-you-regional-english-language-officer-relo
Presentation Dates and Titles:
January 19, 2022 – 8 am and 1 pm ET
Presentation: Skim, Scan, Run! An Active Approach to Developing Reading Macro Skills
English Teaching Forum, Volume 56, Issue 1
Presenter: Kevin McCaughey and Heather Benucci
February 2, 2022 – 8 am and 1 pm ET
Presentation: Cultural Introductions by Way of Storytelling
English Teaching Forum, Volume 53, Issue 3
Presenter: Matthew Jellick
February 16, 2022 8 am and 1 pm ET
Presentation: Effective E-reading: Helping Students Stay on Task While Reading Online
English Teaching Forum, Volume 57, Issue 4
Presenters: Nicole Brun-Mercer
March 2, 2022 – 8 am and 1 pm ET
Presentation: Task-Based Reading Activities Using Authentic Materials and Skills
English Teaching Forum, Volume 59, Issue 2
Presenter: Mina Gavell
March 16, 2022 – 8 am and 1 pm ET
Presentation: “What was it about?” Supporting Text Retelling & Response
English Teaching Forum, Volume 59, Issue 2
Presenter: Lottie Baker
March 30, 2022 – 8 am and 1 pm ET
Presentation: Accommodating Learning Disabilities in the English Language Classroom
English Teaching Forum, Volume 59, Issue 1
Presenter: Jimalee Sowell
OPEN MOOCs: English for Media Literacy, English for Business & Entrepreneurship, English for Journalism, English for Career Development, English for Science, Technology, and Mathematics (STEM), Assessment of English Language Learners, TESOL Methodology, English for Media Literacy for Educators
English for Career Development (Self-Paced) – OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT – English for Career Development a five-module, self-paced MOOC. This course is designed for non-native English speakers who are interested in advancing their careers in the global marketplace. In this course, you will learn about the job search, application, and interview process in the United States, while comparing and contrasting the same process in your home country. This course will also give you the opportunity to explore your global career path while building your vocabulary and improving your language skills to achieve your professional goals. In this course, you will review the job application process, learn strategies for identifying jobs that match your skills and interests, develop skills to produce a professional-looking resume and cover letter, and improve your networking and interview skills.
Full Enrollment Link: https://moocs.openenglishprograms.org/enroll/WJARXJ
Shortened Link: https://bit.ly/EnglishforCareerDev_2022
Dates to remember
Enrollment Closes: March 21, 2022
Course End Date: March 28, 2022
English for Science, Technology, and Mathematics (STEM) (Self-Paced) – OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT – This course is designed for non-native English speakers who are interested in improving their English skills in the sciences. In this course, you will explore some of the most innovative areas of scientific study while expanding your vocabulary and the language skills needed to share scientific information within your community. In Module 1, you will learn how to preview texts and practice some of the language used to make comparisons when talking about global warming and climate change. In Module 2, you will examine the chemistry of climate change and the language of cause and effect. In Module 3, you will learn about some of the impacts of Climate Change and the language used to describe these effects. In Module 4, you will learn reading strategies that can help you explore the science behind some new energy systems. In Module 5, you will investigate practical advances in nanotechnology that help slow down climate change, while developing your own research skills in English. This is a self-paced course, which will be open for 12 weeks. Participants can complete coursework at any time during these 12 weeks. The course has 5 modules; each module will require approximately 3-5 hours of work.
Full Enrollment Link: https://moocs.openenglishprograms.org/enroll/W3PYAR
Shortened Link: https://bit.ly/EnglishforSTEM_2022
Dates to remember
Enrollment Closes: March 21, 2022
Course End Date: March 28, 2022
English for Journalism (Self-Paced)- OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT –This course is designed for non-native English speakers interested in developing the skills needed for a career in modern journalism. In this course, you will explore print and digital media while expanding your vocabulary and increasing your ability to research and develop local and global news stories. Module One will provide an introduction to the history and principles of journalism. In Module Two, you will learn how to research, pitch, and interview. Module Three will focus on the language for writing newspaper and magazine articles. Module Four will cover the basics of broadcasting the news. Module Five will focus on the growth, impact, and challenges of the digital media age. This is a self-paced course, which will be open for 12 weeks. Participants can complete coursework at any time during these 12 weeks. The course has 5 modules; each module will require approximately 3-5 hours of work.
Full Enrollment Link: https://moocs.openenglishprograms.org/enroll/WWTKJD
Shortened Link: https://bit.ly/EnglishforJournalism_2022
Dates to remember
Enrollment Closes: March 21, 2022
Course End Date: March 28, 2022
English for Business and Entrepreneurship (Self-Paced)-OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT –This course is designed for non-native English speakers who are interested in improving their language skills and knowledge of business and entrepreneurship at the same time. From identifying an opportunity to planning a persuasive pitch, this course will guide you step-by-step through the basic elements of starting up a new business. Through selected readings and video lectures, you will learn how to use market research to identify risks and opportunities. You will learn how to read and develop a business plan and how to find investors and financial support. Finally, you will learn strategies for making a pitch to present your business concept.
Full Enrollment Link: https://moocs.openenglishprograms.org/enroll/LLLYR3
Shortened Link: https://bit.ly/BusinessEnglishMOOC_2022
Dates to remember
Enrollment Closes: March 21, 2022
Course End Date: March 28, 2022
English for Media Literacy (Self-Paced)- OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT –This course is designed for non-native English speakers who are interested in improving their language skills and knowledge of the media at the same time. In this course, participants will investigate how media has changed over time. They will explore the world of advertising and identify targeted marketing strategies, analyze sources, detect bias, and examine how diversity representation in media influences individual identity and society. This course provides the opportunity to develop a broader understanding of the role media plays in our lives while building the vocabulary and language skills needed to analyze what we read and watch.
Full Enrollment Link: https://moocs.openenglishprograms.org/enroll/FBRY7A
Shortened Link: https://bit.ly/MediaLiteracyMOOC_2022
Dates to remember
Enrollment Closes: March 21, 2022
Course End Date: March 28, 2022
Assessment of English Language Learners (Self-Paced)- OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT – This self-paced course is designed to help English-language educators improve their teaching practices by creating courses that have engaging, practical assessments tied to learning outcomes. Participants will learn about the principles of backward design and explore the main types of assessment for use in language teaching and learning. They will gain an understanding of how to select appropriate assessment types for different groups of students, and they will also have a chance to practice these new assessment techniques and reflect on the results during the course.
Full Enrollment Link: https://moocs.openenglishprograms.org/enroll/YTCG93
Shortened Link: https://bit.ly/AssessmentMOOC_2022
Dates to remember
Enrollment Closes: March 28, 2022
Course End Date: April 4, 2022
English for Media Literacy for Educators (Self-Paced)- OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT- English for Media Literacy for Educators (EML-E) is an exciting MOOC designed to introduce you to the theory and practice of teaching about media literacy in the English as a foreign language (EFL) classroom. Through informative videos and practical readings, you will explore approaches for teaching English for media literacy that are not only effective but engaging and enlightening. You will learn theory and strategies necessary for successful media literacy instruction for students of various ages and levels of English proficiency. In the media literacy education context you will also gain new ideas for teaching students how to analyze, critique and communicate their thoughts in English. In addition, you will gain useful knowledge and resources that you can share with your education colleagues and others who are interested in this critical 21st century skill – media literacy. Through weekly participation in this MOOC, you will have the opportunity to share ideas with peers and apply course content to your teaching context. Get ready to learn about EML-E and be part of an international learning community with teachers around the world!
Please fill out the registration survey linked below, and at the end of the survey you will be provided with an enrollment link for EML-E.
Full enrollment link: https://nomination.openenglishprograms.org/ParticipantProfile/WelcomeSurvey/dc86a4263ea84d2488a908d9ece10e8d
Shortened enrollment link: https://bit.ly/EMLEMOOC
Dates to remember
Enrollment Closes: June 28, 2022
Course End Date: July 5, 2022
TESOL Methodology (Self-Paced)- This course, provided by the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), is designed to provide you with current methodologies for teaching English learners (ELs) of different ages in many learning contexts. You will discuss and practice a wide variety of strategies and techniques for teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). While exploring best practices for teaching listening, speaking, reading, and writing, including grammar and vocabulary, you will learn how to create an effective and communicative language classroom for all learners. In addition, you will examine what best practices mean in the context of teaching English in the 21st century, where English is an international language, and the use of English incorporates modern technologies.
Dates to remember
Enrollment Opens: April 11, 2022
Course Starts: April 11, 2022
Enrollment Closes: June 28, 2022
Course End Date: July 5, 2022
Promo graphics for current MOOCs can be found here in Box: https://app.box.com/s/f0ok6q078a6h7oe7ka761jddmc7tsx9l
English Teaching Forum
Current Issue:
The most recent issue of the English Language Forum is now available on the American English website. The (Vol. 59, No. 4) issue features articles on the following topics, among others:
- Strategies for using nonprofit commercials as content
- Assessing learners’ productive vocabulary knowledge
- Helping pre-service teachers observe classes more productively
- Practicing tense and aspect in a creative, collaborative activity
The My Classroom article focuses on a teacher in Vermont (and Michigan) whose online work reaches learners around the world.
Authors in this issue represent Germany, Uzbekistan, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States.
Please spread the word about the release of this issue!
Link: https://americanenglish.state.gov/resources/english-teaching-forum-2021-volume-59-number-4
Shortened Link: https://bit.ly/3FtXeL8
