English learners in EFL contexts where grammar-based instruction is still dominant often lack opportunities to use the target language both within and outside the classroom. In 2010, we initiated a club-based approach to facilitate students' learning beyond the classroom. It focused on meaningful communication, authentic tasks, student agency,…

This article discusses how to overcome the language and cultural issues of using existing online videos in classroom discussions with nonnative English-speaking groups of students, through student-produced videos given as an authentic educational assignment. Implementation of the assignment and the use of student-produced videos in classroom…

Student-produced materials are a powerful tool for promoting learner autonomy. They challenge the traditional paradigm of education because the very concept of learner-produced materials is based on trust in the student-centered learning process; when developing materials, learners do not rely on the teacher to make every decision. In this…

This article looks at Year 9 (age 13) ESL learners in a secondary school in Hong Kong producing--with minimal input and support from their teachers--their own story books, these being the final task outcome in a series of lessons focusing on creativity. Over a period of two months, as an integral part of their ESL lessons, groups of students…

Describes five principles that guide learner involvement in English-as-a-foreign-language materials adaptation, including: (1) learner commitment; (2) learner as collaborator; (3) learner as problem solver; (4) learner as knower; and (5) learner as evaluator and assessor. Specific examples of how learners might productively engage in adapting or…

Two educators discuss the role literature plays in the English as a Second Language (ESL) classroom. One emphasizes that literary texts are a source for classroom activities that can motivate learners. The other points out that the English writings of ESL students about their travels and friends published in newsletters and journals generate…

A project involving a local grant-funded anthology of university English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) student writing is reported. Benefits to the students are described, and it is concluded that students valued the pride of authorship more than their improved writing skills. (13 references) (LB)

Illustrates the use of projects to increase non-English speaking students' motivation for learning English. Appropriate projects may generate materials that teachers can use with other students. (CB)

Describes a learner-generated learning plan. The content of the program comprises two phases: student as editor/publisher in which learners create their own course text based upon selections of already-published materials; and students as author/publisher, in which learners use a publication-house simulation to develop, organize, investigate,…

Describes a technique for teaching English in Nigeria that uses folktales. In this activity, students tell each other folktales, the learners in each group discuss the stories and decide which they would like to write, the teacher helps students produce a clean copy of the stories, and then each group produces a final copy with drawings. Students…

Discusses how advanced English as a second language students' concerns about a public issue generated a student-produced curriculum on AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). The writing project served pedagogical purposes within the framework of citizenship. (CB)

One of a group of modular courses developed for a college-level program in English as a second language (ESL) is an intermediate level course designed to help students develop their knowledge of the world through language. The course, modeled on the popular game Trivial Pursuit, requires students to learn library skills and perform research on a…

A term-project assignment for a course in phonetics for prospective teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL) is described. The project involves six steps: (1) identification of a specific pronunciation problem for study; (2) analysis of the problem; (3) development of a self-instructional program; (4) recording the program on audio-tape; (5)…

Problems of dealing with ESL students who are functionally, completely, or semi-literate, or who are not familiar with the Roman alphabet, are outlined, and some solutions to material development and class activities are proposed. Examples and a list of resources are included. (MSE)

Describes a method of drawing on the students' own knowledge and resources in developing language teaching materials. Discusses the use of folk stories as a source of reading materials and examines the process of preparing a Mullah Nasreddin story, first told in a classroom discussion, for publication as a bilingual reader. (SED)