Virtual Resources for

English Educators &

Learners
April 2021

For English Educators:

American English for Educators

Facebook Page
Description: The American English for Educators
Facebook Page is an interactive platform aimed
toward engaging English language teachers around
the world with opportunities to reflect on their
practice; we also aim to provide access to useful
resources, creative teaching ideas, and professional
development opportunities.
April's Theme: Online Assessment
https://www.facebook.com/AmericanEnglishforEducators/

Access Teachers' Corner Facebook Group

Description: Access Teachers' Corner Facebook group is
a dynamic space that aims primarily to support teachers
who work with English Access Microscholarship Students,
i.e., adolescents aged 13-20, although most of our themes
will be relevant for teachers of all ages and programs. All
Access teachers (and other educators) are welcome!
April's Topic: Teaching English Online

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

American English YouTube Channel
Our American English YouTube channel is an outstanding resource for English
language teaching and learning. The channel has a total 765 videos divided into
sections aimed at English language learners and English language teachers.

Featured Section: For English Language Teachers: Deep Dives into Professional
Development by Topic

This newly added section features 15 thematic playlists. Twelve playlists consist
of our full-length professional development webinars organized by topic;
three consist of of short video clips that highlight teaching tips by topic.

Link: https://state-low.box.com/v/YouTube-Playlists-for-
Teachers

Featured Video: Password Security

How do you teach your students about digital

citizenship? Listen to this conversation in a classroom
about how students can protect their passwords. It is
important to have long passwords with a mix of numbers,
letters, and symbols.

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/Pz86km2cHXY

American English Live Series 10

American English Live: Teacher Development Series10 began on January 27, 2021!
Follow American English for Educators on Facebook to stay updated on each event
in the series! facebook.com/AmericanEnglishforEducators
You can check the local start time in your region here: bit.ly/ChecktheTime
Certificate
To learn about viewing group sessions 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: 16:00 & 21:00 Turkey-time

April 7, 2021 - 8 am and 1 pm ET
Presentation: Effective Assessment Practices for Synchronous and Asynchronous
Learning in an Online Environment
Presenter: Kendra Staley

OPEN MOOCs:
English for Business & Entrepreneurship,
English for Media Literacy, English for
Journalism, English for Media Literacy for
Educators (EML-E), Establishing Academic
Writing Centers at International Higher Education
Institutions, Assessment of English Language
Learners , & Using Educational Technology in
the English Language Classroom

MOOC: English for Business and Entrepreneurship – Course extended!

English for Business and Entrepreneurship is an OPEN MOOC for learners. It 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.
Participants will receive step-by-step guidance on the basic elements of starting up a
new business. This is a self-paced course. Self-paced MOOCs offer participants the
opportunity to complete courses on their own schedule.

Participants can enroll in this course until April 23, 2021. Participants may log in and
complete coursework at any time during the course. However, all coursework must
be completed by April 30, 2021 to pass.

Enrollment Link: https://www.canvas.net/browse/fhi/courses/english-business-

entrepreneurship

Dates to remember
Enrollment closes: April 23, 2021 (ET)
Course end date: April 30, 2021 (ET)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

English for Media Literacy – Course extended!

English for Media Literacy is an OPEN MOOC for learners. It is designed for non-
native English speakers who are interested in improving their language skills and
knowledge of the media at the same time. Participants 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 is a self-paced course. Self-paced MOOCs offer participants the
opportunity to complete courses on their own schedule.

Participants can enroll in this course until April 23, 2021. Participants may log in and
complete coursework at any time during the course. However, all coursework must
be completed by April 30 to pass.
Enrollment Link: https://www.canvas.net/browse/fhi/courses/english-for-media-
literacy

Dates to remember
Enrollment closes: April 23, 2021
Course end date: April 30, 2021
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

English for Journalism- Course extended!

English for Journalism is an OPEN MOOC for learners. It is designed for non-native
English speakers who are interested in developing the skills needed for a career in
modern journalism. Participants will learn about the history of journalism, how to
research, pitch, and interview, writing for newspapers and magazines, and the
basics of broadcasting news. This is a self-paced course. Self-paced MOOCs offer
participants the opportunity to complete courses on their own schedule.

Participants can enroll in this course until December 17, 2021. Participants may log
in and complete coursework at any time during the course. However, all coursework
must be completed by December 27, 2021 to pass.

Enrollment Link: https://www.canvas.net/browse/fhi/courses/english-for-

journalism

Dates to remember
Enrollment closes: December 17, 2021
Course end date: December 27, 2021
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

English for Media Literacy for Educators (EML-E) -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!
 Dates to remember
Enrollment opens: April 5, 2021
Course starts: May 3, 2021
Enrollment closes: June 4, 2021
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

English for Journalism- Enrollment Open!

English for Journalism is an OPEN MOOC for learners. It is designed for non-native
English speakers who are interested in developing the skills needed for a career in
modern journalism. Participants will learn about the history of journalism, how to
research, pitch, and interview, writing for newspapers and magazines, and the
basics of broadcasting news. This is a self-paced course, which will be open for 12
weeks. Self-paced MOOCs offer participants the opportunity to complete courses on
their own schedule.

Participants can enroll in this course until April 23, 2021. Participants may log in and
complete coursework at any time during the course. However, all coursework must
be completed by April 30, 2021 to pass.

Enrollment Link: https://www.canvas.net/browse/fhi/courses/english-for-journalism

Dates to remember
Enrollment closes: April 23, 2021
Course end date: April 30, 2021
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Assessment of English Language Learners -This 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. 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.

Dates to remember
Enrollment opens: April 5, 2021
Course starts: May 3, 2021
Enrollment closes: July 16, 2021
Course ends: July 26, 2021
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Establishing Academic Writing Centers at International Higher Education
Institutions -In this course, provided by Iowa State University, participants will learn
about the purpose and function of academic writing centers at higher education
institutions. They will be introduced to guidelines for establishing and running a
writing center in an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context. In particular,
participants will explore models for funding a writing center, best practices for hiring
and training staff, writing center policies and procedures, and methods of promoting
a writing center’s services.

Dates to remember
Enrollment opens: May 24, 2021
Course starts: June 21, 2021
Enrollment closes: July 23, 2021
Course ends: August 2, 2021
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Using Educational Technology in the English Language Classroom- This

MOOC is provided by Iowa State University. This course is designed to prepare
TESOL professionals to integrate language learning tools into their English language
teaching. Participants will become aware of free technological tools, learn how to use
these tools for language learning and teaching, and evaluate the appropriateness of
a technology tool for their specific contexts.

Dates to remember
Course Starts: May 31, 2021
Course End Date: August 23, 2021
English Teaching Forum
59/1 coming soon!

Latest Issue: English Teaching Forum (Volume 58, Number 4)

- This issue includes articles by teachers from, or with strong
connections to, Madagascar, Tajikistan, Bangladesh,
Switzerland, China, and the United States, and the My
Classroom article is focused on a teacher in Libya. The articles
cover, among other topics, the following:
o tips for creating a bilingual thematic vocabulary workbook
(particularly useful in low-resource environments, but applicable
anywhere)
o guidelines for assessing assessment
o techniques for integrating writing and speaking
o suggestions for using picture books with young learners
o a step-by-step approach for using identity to introduce intercultural communicative
competence

Link: https://americanenglish.state.gov/resources/english-teaching-forum-2020-
volume-58-number-4

For English Learners:

American English at State
Facebook PageDescription:
The American English at State Facebook
Page is an interactive platform aimed toward
engaging English language learners with content
and opportunities for language practice that
support the English language acquisition
process. Please share it as appropriate with
relevant audiences in your area.

April's Theme: Digital Literacy

April's Language Point: Synonyms
A Podcast of Exchange Stories

Listen to the RELO Podcasts still available: #KellePaçaAndEnglish

🎙️🎉🇺🇸🥣

Listen on:
Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/kelle-paca-and-english
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5xYMQwCFgVMEjg0K9I6HVh?si=hK
JRYQmBT0iHrlbWAQggWw
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kelle-pa%C3%A7a-
english/id1521468356?uo=4
Google
Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc3
ByZWFrZXIuY29tL3Nob3cvNDQ4Mjc0OS9lcGlzb2Rlcy9mZWVk
Kelle Paça & English podcast series by U.S. Embassy Turkey
Kelle Paça and English is a podcast for English language enthusiasts - both
teachers and learners. On each episode, U.S. Embassy Turkey former Regional
English Language Officer David Fay invites an English Language Fellow in Turkey
to talk about English language, teaching in Turkey and Kelle Paça - the soup that is
as complex and nuanced as the English language. You can watch all the series in
the links above.
 ECA Podcasts:
ECA's podcast can serve as a teaching tool to help English language learners
develop their language and critical thinking through stories. From native speakers
from the United States to foreigners from around the world, students will have
access to the diverse sounds of global English. Audio and transcripts for each
episode can be downloaded directly from the website eca.state.gov/2233.
Currently the podcast is featuring a series called "Trekkig in India." If you're
developing creative ways to make use of the 22.33 podcast in the classroom or
virtually, please reach out to share your experience with the ECA podcast team at
[email protected].

Other open education resources (OERs):

Learn
• American English Massive Open Online Course (MOOCS)
http://bit.ly/AmEnMOOCs
• Scholastic has posted daily online activities for students and teachers
https://bit.ly/SchlstcLrn
• Free online courses from the top U.S. Ivy League universities
https://bit.ly/IvyLgCrs
• 1500 Free online courses from top universities - https://bit.ly/UnivMOOCS
• NASA’s STEM at-home activities - https://go.nasa.gov/2QUDVV5
• United States Agency for Global Media videos of news from all over the world in
multiple languages - https://www.usagmdirect.com/en-US
• NASA has put together an excellent toolkit with resources, videos, lesson plans,
and posters. http://bit.ly/NASAApr22

Explore
• Hidden Worlds of U.S. National Parks 360 tours - https://bit.ly/NtnlPrksHdnWrlds

• U.S. National Parks virtual tours - http://bit.ly/NtnlPrkVT

• NASA’s Explore Mars - https://accessmars.withgoogle.com/
 • National Women’s History Museum exhibit - https://bit.ly/WmHstrExhbt
• National Museum of Art virtual exhibit - http://bit.ly/NtnlMoArt
• National Museum of Natural History exhibit - http://bit.ly/VRNtrlHstry
• JSTOR digital library is now open to the public - https://about.jstor.org/oa-
andfree/

Enjoy
• New York’s Metropolitan Opera streams free concerts
https://www.metopera.org/
• Watch animals live at the Monterey Bay Aquarium - https://bit.ly/MontBayAquar
• NASA’s media library is now accessible and copyright free
https://bit.ly/NASAMediaLbry
• Take a virtual Disney ride - https://bit.ly/DsnyRides
• Watch celebrities reading children’s books - https://bit.ly/StarsReadng
• iCivics games, which teach about U.S. politics, history, and democracy, can be
downloaded and played without the internet. https://bit.ly/iCvcsNoIntrnt

Additional Resources from UNESCO:

Digital learning management systems

• CenturyTech – Personal learning pathways with micro -lessons to address gaps in
knowledge, challenge students and promote long-term memory retention.
• Paper Airplanes – Matches individuals with personal tutors for 12-16 week
sessions conducted via video conferencing platforms, available in English and
Turkish.
• ClassDojo – Connects teachers with students and parents to build classroom
communities.
• Edmodo – Tools and resources to manage classrooms and engage students
remotely.
• Google Classroom – Helps classes connect remotely, communicate and stay-
organized.
• Moodle – Community-driven and globally-supported open learning platform.
• Schoology – Tools to support instruction, learning, grading, collaboration and
assessment.
• Seesaw – Enables the creation of collaborative and sharable digital learning
portfolios and learning resources.
• Skooler – Tools to turn Microsoft Office software into an education platform.

Systems purpose-built for mobile phones

• Cell-Ed – Learner-centered, skills-based learning platform with offline options.
• Eneza Education - Revision and learning materials for basic feature phones.
• Funzi – Mobile learning service that supports teaching and training for large
groups.
• Ustad Mobile – Access and share educational content offline.
• KaiOS – Software that gives smartphone capabilities to inexpensive mobile phones
and helps open portals to learning opportunities.
Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Platforms
• Alison – Online courses from experts.
• Coursera – Online courses taught by instructors from well-recognized universities
and companies.
• EdX – Online courses from leading educational institutions.
• University of the People - Online university with open access to higher education.
• Canvas – Lifelong learning and professional development for educators.
• Future Learn – Online courses to help learners study, build professional skills and
connect with experts.
• TED-Ed Earth School – Online lessons about nature made available continuously
during a 5-week period between Earth Day (April 22nd) and World Environment
Day (June 5th)

Self-directed learning content

• Discovery Education – Free educational resources and lessons about viruses and
outbreaks for different grade levels.
• Facebook Get Digital - Lesson plans, conversation starters, activities, videos and
other resources for students to stay connected.
• Khan Academy – Free online courses, lessons and practice.
• LabXchange – Curated and user-created digital learning content delivered on an
online platform that enables educational and research experiences.
• OneCourse – Child -focused application to deliver reading, writing and numeracy
education.
• Quizlet – Learning flashcards and games to support learning in multiple subjects.
• Code Week – List of online resources to teach and learn computer
coding, available in all EU languages.
• Discovery Education – Free educational resources and lessons about viruses and
outbreaks for different grade levels.
• Duolingo – Application to support language learning. Supports numerous base and
target languages.

Mobile reading applications

• Global Digital Library – Digital storybooks and other reading materials easily
accessible from mobile phones or computers.
• StoryWeaver – Digital repository of multilingual stories for children.
• Worldreader – Digital books and stories accessible from mobile devices and
functionality to support reading instruction.

Collaboration platforms that support live-video communication

• Dingtalk – Communication platform that supports video conferencing, task and
calendar management, attendance tracking and instant messaging.
• Lark – Collaboration suite of interconnected tools, including chat, calendar, creation
and cloud storage.
• Hangouts Meet – Video calls integrated with other Google’s G-Suite tools.
• Teams – Chat, meet, call and collaboration features integrated with Microsoft
Office software.
 • Skype – Video and audio calls with talk, chat and collaboration features.
• Zoom – Cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, collaboration, chat and
webinars.
• ClassDojo – Connects teachers with students and parents to build classroom
communities.

Tools to create of digital learning content

• Thinglink(link is external) – Tools to create interactive images, videos and other
multimedia resources.
• Buncee – Supports the creation and sharing visual representations of learning
content, including media-rich lessons, reports, newsletters and presentations.
• EdPuzzle – Video lesson creation software.
• Kaltura – Video management and creation tools with integration options for various
learning management systems.
• Nearpod – Software to create lessons with informative and interactive assessment
activities.
• Pear Deck – Facilitates the design of engaging instructional content with various
integration features.
• Squigl – Content creation platform that transforms speech or text into animated
videos.
• Trello -A visual collaboration tool used by teachers and professors for easier
coursework planning, faculty collaboration, and classroom organization.

** Updated on April 2, 2021 with info from: https://en.unesco.org/themes/education-

emergencies/coronavirus-school-closures/solutions