What’s New in American English – Week of November 29, 2021

We’re happy to announce the dates and presentations for American English Live Series 13 to kick off 2022. Throughout the entire series, we’ll be celebrating 60 years of English Teaching Forum with webinars presented by FORUM authors, including RELOs Lottie Baker and Kevin McCaughey! See below for presentation dates and titles.

This week we introduce our December theme on the American English at State Facebook page which will be Democracy and Human Rights. On the American English for Educators Facebook page our December theme will be Cooperative Education. On the Teacher’s Corner Facebook group the theme for December will be Youth Culture. 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.

On the American English at State Facebook Page we will introduce our monthly theme of Democracy and Human Rights with graphics on goals of human rights education. Our #WomenWednesday features a quote from UN Commissioner for Human Rights and former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet.

On the American English for Educators Facebook page we introduce the monthly theme of Cooperative Education with a new set of graphics. We will continue sharing teaching tips from English Teaching Forum, classroom management techniques, and additional resources from americanenglish.state.gov.

The Teacher’s Corner Facebook theme for December is Youth Culture. This week we focus on music and we introduce our new expert, Makaela Anderson. We will brainstorm the impact that music and song lyrics can have on teens and young adults. We’ll explore how listening to music in English can help learners acquire the language. Our expert Makaela will share a music gap fill activity with us.

The American English YouTube channel has a new featured animated video about Culturally Inclusive Teaching. Culturally inclusive teaching can have a positive impact on the classroom environment as well as student performance. Take a look at this video to hear more about characteristics of a culturally inclusive classroom.

The latest issue of the 2021 English Language Forum has been posted on the American English website. A highlight from (Vol. 59, No. 3) is an article on using story retelling wheels with young learners. The issue also includes an article on humor instruction, and the My Classroom article profiles a teacher in the Galápagos Islands. Authors in the issue represent Japan, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, and Tajikistan. Please share with your contacts!

Be sure to check out our American English Materials. You can find copies of our most recent 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.

The Materials Catalogue for English language teachers and learners is available.  These resources are aimed at supporting teachers of English outside of the United States. This catalog provides information on publications that are produced by the U.S. Department of State’s Office of English Language Programs and distributed through U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the world. Please see below for ordering information.

Online Professional English Network (OPEN) MOOCs: Integrating Critical Thinking Skills into the Exploration of Culture in an EFL Setting, English for Tourism Professionals, English for Media Literacy for Educators, Assessment of English Language Learners,  English for Business & Entrepreneurship, English for Journalism and more are open for enrollment. More details about all MOOCs and links can be found below.

American English at State Facebook Page

Description: The American English at State Facebook Page is aimed at English language learners. Please share it as appropriate with relevant audiences in your area.

November’s Theme: International Education

November’s Language Point: Phrasal Verbs

December’s Theme: Democracy and Human Rights

December’s Language Point: Pronunciation and Syllable Stress

Graphics that are in the Box and Sharepoint for you to cross-post/use:

 

American English for Educators Facebook Page

Description: The American English for Educators Facebook Page is aimed toward engaging English language teachers around the world.

November’s Theme: 21st Century Skills

December’s Theme: Cooperative Education

Graphics that are in the Box and Sharepoint for you to cross-post/use:

  • 21st Century Skills: health and wellness
  • Cooperative Education: intentional grouping
  • Our #MotivationMonday graphic shares a quote: “The possibility of being as free with the camera as we are with the pen is a fantastic prospect for the creative life of the 21st century.”
  • #MaterialsMonday shares: digital storytelling
  • #TeachingTip: group writing
  • #WordyWednesday features theme-related vocabulary; this week’s term is team player
  • #ThoughtfulThursday: engaging with 21st century skills
  • Our #SolveThisScenario series this week is about overcrowded classroom
  • STEM MOOC Vocabulary: drought, tide, renewable energy
  • We will continue sharing teaching tips from English Teaching Forum, classroom management techniques, and additional resources from americanenglish.state.gov.
  • Holidays: International Day of Persons with Disabilities

 

Teachers’ Corner Facebook Group 

Description: The Teacher’s Corner Facebook group is primarily to support teachers who work with English Access Microscholarship Students.  All Access teachers (and other educators) are welcome! Please invite educators in your area to join.

December Theme: Youth Culture

This Week’s Content:

  • We’ll wrap up our November theme of Teaching Writing Outside of the Box.
  • We’ll announce our December theme, Youth Culture with a focus on Music and introduce our new Expert, Makaela Anderson.
  • We will brainstorm the impact that music and song lyrics can have on teens and young adults.
  • We’ll explore how listening to music in English can help learners acquire the language.
  • Our Expert Makaela will share a music gap fill activity with us.

       Link to group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AccessTeachersCorner/

 

 

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