Abstract of the paper:

Although there are many websites designed and published on the Internet for learning and teaching English, little use of them is done by both Egyptian EFL teachers and students. The textbook is usually their main concern and focus. That is why the present study draws more light on the importance of language teaching and learning websites and evaluates some of them so as to introduce them to both for use.

This problem was tackled through answering the following questions:

(1) What are the websites available online for learning and teaching English as a foreign language?;

(2) What are the points of strength and weakness of some of these sites?; and

(3) How can these sites be utilized by the Egyptian teachers and students for teaching and learning English as a foreign language? A 63-item evaluation criteria checklist was used to assess the six selected websites.

It covered eight dimensions as follows: Authority, Purpose, Coverage, Currency, Objectivity, Accuracy, Technical Aspects (navigation, design and structure, and access), and Usefulness for TEFL Teachers and Students. The participants (n=17 – post-graduate students at Benha University) visited them and responded to the evaluation criteria checklist for identifying the points of strength and weakness of each website.

The six websites, as a whole, were reported by the participants very useful for learning and teaching English. Based on the findings of evaluation, educational implications and recommendations for the utilization of these sites for teaching and learning English in Egypt were suggested. (Contains 7 tables and 7 appendices.)

Download ‘An Evaluative Study of Some Online Websites for Learning and Teaching English as a Foreign Language’ Paper

• Research Paper: ‘FUEL, Functional and Useful English Learning, An EFL Teaching System’ by Joe Drakos
• ELT Resource: UsingEnglish.com
• Interview with Dr Jagdish Joshi
• Article: ‘Using news articles’ by BBC TE Editor
• Download Webinar: Pronunciation in Communication: An aviation Perspective
• Lesson Plan: Learning styles
• Discuss & Vote @ BBC LE: Dictionaries in the classroom
• Free eBook: English as a Second Language in the United Kingdom
• Video: David Crystal – Which English?
• GUIDELINES FOR CONTRIBUTORS
• Feedback.

Topical news stories are a great source of teaching material. This article presents different ways to exploit news reports in the classroom and focuses on raising the level of involvement and participation that the students have in the lesson.

• Selection criteria

• Before reading

• First reading

• Second reading

• Language focus

• Follow up

• Sources

 Selection criteria

It is important that you choose your news article wisely. You should consider the following criteria.

Read the remaining ”Using news articles’ article

Level: Upper-Intermediate to Advanced

This lesson is based on an audio extract which can be found on the British Council LearnEnglish Professional website. It encourages students to reflect on their learning styles and gives them an opportunity to put into practice the learning strategies they hear being discussed on the audio. For teachers without access to audio equipment, we have also provided a link to the script of the audio.

Worksheets: – exercises which can be printed out for class. The worksheets contain:

• Listening tasks
  A personal dictionary template
  Grammar cards
  Blank cards for a grammar game invention workshop
  Learner styles questionnaire
  Lesson feedback questionnaire

Download the ‘Learning Styles’ lesson plan from BBC TeachingEnglish site

This is, of course, as much a key topic in the UK as it was in 1985 when this book was originally published. The book aimed to cover ‘English teaching to British residents’ and addresses teaching children in the school sector; teaching adults in education and in the workplace; and teacher training, among others. One chapter asks ‘Can ESL teaching be racist?’

English as a Second Language in the United Kingdom

Which ‘English’ should we teach our students? Global English with Professor David Crystal. Another innovative feature of Global – Macmillan’s new course for adult learners of English. Visit the website www.macmillanenglish.com/global to download a complete sample unit, and the chance to win a Flip camcorder or antique-style globe.

• ELTWeekly’s ELT, ESL and EFL Events Blog is Live Again!
• Video: Teaching ESL with Technology
• Free eBook: Impact Study of British Council Teaching Centre EFL Classes
• Lesson Plan: How new words are created
• Download Webinar: Integrating content and language – which language?
• Book of the week: ‘500 Activities for the Primary Classroom’ by Carol Read
• Article: ‘Extensive reading: why it is good for our students… and for us’ by Alan Maley
• Resource of the week: ESLFlow.com
• Research Paper: ‘Analysis of Responses of Learners in the Learning Resource Centre’ by Dr. Ravi Bhushan
• GUIDELINES FOR CONTRIBUTORS
• Feedback.

Analysis of Responses of Learners in the Learning Resource Centre (Language Labs) at Bhagat Phool Singh Mahila Vishwavidayalaya, Khanpur Kalan (Sonipat), Haryana

By Dr. Ravi Bhushan, Assistant Professor & Head, Learning Resource Centre, Bhagat Phool Singh Mahila Vishwavidayalaya Khanpur Kalan (Sonipat), Haryana.

Learning Resource Centre at Bhagat Phool Singh Mahila Vishwavidayalaya, Khanpur Kalan (Sonepat), Haryana was established in August 2007. This paper raises the following issues:

1. Are learning resource centers successful/failure.

2. f they are successful, what and how much learners benefit from it?

3. If they are failures, what are the reasons that make the learning resource centre unviable.

This paper reports on the performance of thirty learners (30) over a period of 15 hours in a Learning Resource Centre (Language Lab).The data in Learning Resource Centre was collected at two stages i.e. at the Ist hour and at the 15^th hour, when the learners leave the learning resource centre. The interpretation of the data together with questionnaires and structured interviews with learners reveals the following:

Every primary teacher and teacher trainer will want a copy of this book!

The definitive handbook for all primary teachers and teacher trainers,written by Carol Read, a well-known primary specialist and teacher trainer and primary author.

500 Activities for the Primary Classroom is the answer to the perennial question of “what on earth am I going to do with my class tomorrow?” Aimed at teachers of children between the ages of 3-12, this is a lively, varied compendium of ideas and classroom activities.

Key Features

• A wide-ranging resource of activities which are easy to set up
• Up-to-date approach covers current approaches in teaching children including content-based learning
• Ideal for all primary-focussed teachers
• Designed to be flexible to supplement a wide range of syllabus-types (story-based, grammatical, etc.)

500 Activities for the Primary Classroom

The ELTons is the only international awards ceremony that rewards the wealth of innovative new English language teaching (ELT) resources that help English language learners and teachers achieve their goals. Find out who has been nominated for an ELTon in the following categories:

- The UK Award for Innovation
- The Cambridge ESOL International Award for Innovation
- The Macmillan Education Award for Innovative Writing

The ELTons are now in their eighth year and the nominees for 2010 have been announced in the following categories:

• The UK Award for Innovation
• The Cambridge ESOL International Award for Innovation
• The Macmillan Education Award for Innovative Writing

Take a look at the entries, nominated by a panel of expert judges, in each of the categories and find out who is in the running to win a prestigious ELTon award at the ceremony which takes place on 3 March 2010 in London.

ELTons 2010 Nominees