HEIS Chair Debbie East reports on events at TESOL 2011 in New Orleans and elections scheduled for Fall 2011, and provides a preview of TESOL 2012 preparations. Read More

The two main goals of this article are (a) to describe how to use Voxopop and different type of activities that can be implemented in the EFL classroom and (2) to show how this asynchronous voice tool can be beneficial for language learning by promoting and encouraging speaking practice outside the classroom walls. Read More

Because graduate students need to present research findings with the appropriate nuance and present themselves as responsible members of their discourse communities, modal verbs merit attention in research writing courses at the university level. This article describe some difficulties one class encountered with modal verbs (specifically, should and must), what they and the instructor found when informally investigating the use of these modal verbs in research articles in their fields of study, and how an ESL/EFL instructor might structure a unit within an academic writing course to better acquaint students with the use of these modals in research writing. Read More

With this issue, we sadly bid farewell to Linda Barro, one of our book review editors. Linda has been a dedicated and collegial presence on our pages and behind the scenes for several years, and it has been a complete pleasure to work with her. We all owe her a debt of gratitude for her contributions to the book reviews section of the newsletter and the all-reviews issues. Thank you, Linda!  We are also fortunate that the book review section will continue in the very capable hands of fellow editor Maria Ammar. Read More

Keys to Teaching Grammar to English Language Learners: A Practical Handbook and its companion workbookare intended to help ESL/EFL teachers unprepared to teach grammar to their English language learners by providing a better understanding of the grammar that English language learners need and ideas for teaching these points. Read More

This book is designed for students in the TOEFL (PBT) range of 480 to 520 seeking to improve academic listening and speaking. A range of activities helps the student develop the ability to see the overall picture as well as strengthen study skills. Read More

The state system of higher education in Connecticut is undergoing significant change, spearheaded by the recent election of a new governor and legislature keen on savings and efficiency during the persistent economic downturn. Three tiers of the system―the twelve community colleges, four regional state universities, and the University of Connecticut (UConn)―had operated with independent boards of trustees; the new plan, still unfolding, leaves UConn with its own board while bringing the regional universities and community colleges under one new board. Many feel that because a significant number of community college students end up transferring to a state university, it makes sense to strengthen ties between the institutions. Others, including ESL faculty, worry about the universities setting policies that may not meet the community colleges’ unique mission. Read More

Upon making the move from high school teacher to university lecturer, I rightly anticipated that my working day would change dramatically. I wrongly assumed that my students, although one year older, would somehow have different attitudes and personalities and that they should be taught in a profoundly different way. Read More

A brief description of HEIS, its purpose, and its membership. Read More

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Get involved—write a book review! Not sure how to write a review? Read a sample here. Read More

Get involved—tell us how you use technology! Read More