Contents
About This Book
Chapter 1: Basic Considerations in Materials Design
and Evaluation
xi
1
A Materials Selection Dilemma
1
Some Challenging Questions
2
Materials, Resources, Technology, and Medium: Some Definitions
Authentic Materials
Selecting Published Materials
Teacher-Made Materials
Student-Generated Materials
Selecting Materials for Your Syllabus
Selecting Materials to Support Topics or Themes
3
3
4
5
5
5
7
Criteria for Developing and Evaluating Materials
9
Chapter 2: Textbooks
11
A Teacher’s Tale
11
Some Challenging Questions
12
Textbooks as Language Teaching Materials
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Textbooks in Language Teaching
The Uses of Textbooks in Language Teaching
13
13
14
Criteria for Textbook Selection
Assessing the Syllabus in a Textbook
Assessing Methodology in Textbooks
Assessing Presentation and Practice of New Language in Textbooks
Assessing Personalization in Textbooks
Assessing Grammar Coverage in Multiskills Textbooks
Assessing Pronunciation Coverage in Textbooks
Assessing Vocabulary Coverage in Textbooks
Coverage of the Four Skills
Assessing Variety in Textbooks
Assessing Grading in Textbooks
Assessing Meaningful Context
Considering Textbooks Series
Watching for -isms and Stereotyping in Textbooks
Watching for Language and Cultural Relevancy in Textbooks
Assessing Self-Directed Learning in Textbooks
Assessing Literacy Level in a Textbook
14
15
17
18
18
19
20
20
22
22
23
23
24
24
24
25
25
v
vi
Contents
Inclusion of Supplementary Materials in Textbooks
Assessing Specialized Types of Textbooks
25
27
Adapting Textbooks
Examples of Textbook Adaptations
28
28
Copyright
34
Chapter 3: Written Texts
35
Learning or Slacking Off?
35
Some Challenging Questions
36
Written Text as Language Teaching Material
Matching Text to Student
Knowing Your Teaching and Program Objectives
Students’ Interests and Ages
Children’s Literature for Adults
Students’ Background Knowledge
Students’ Reading Ability and English Language Proficiency Levels
Text Layout and Presentation
Linguistic Difficulty of the Text
Text Genre and Writing Style
36
36
37
38
38
39
40
41
42
42
Authentic versus Simplified Written Text
Selecting Books for Extensive Reading
Books in Students’ Native Languages
Written Text on the Internet
Student-Generated Written Text
45
46
47
47
48
Teacher-Created Written Text
Using Written Text
53
54
Published Written Text
Newspapers
57
57
Other Published Materials
58
Developing Activities for Written Text
59
Copyright
59
Chapter 4: Visual Aids: Pictures, Charts, and Realia
61
The Dual Identity of Language Teachers
61
Some Challenging Questions
62
The Importance of Visual Aids
Characteristics of Good Visuals
Types of Visual Aids and Their Uses
62
63
63
Drawings
64
Magazine Pictures
Sources
Selecting Pictures for a Picture File or Library
Classifying and Storing Pictures
Preparing Pictures
64
64
65
65
66
Activities for Using Drawings and Pictures
67
Contents
Developing Picture Activities for Teaching Meaning
Deloping Picture Activities for Grammar and Vocabulary Practice
Developing Picture Activities for Practicing Descriptions
Developing Picture Activities for Writing
Developing Picture Activities for Problem-Posing
Picture Stories
Student-Found Pictures
67
68
70
71
71
72
73
Photographs
74
Flashcards
Preparation and Classification
Uses of Flashcards
75
75
75
Charts and Graphs
Wall Charts
Charts versus Board Drawings
Displaying Wall Charts and Pictures
77
77
80
80
Realia
Forms and Schedules
Post Office Items
Menus
Food and Related Items
Maps
Puppets and Toys
Cultural Artifacts
Collections of Objects
80
81
82
82
82
83
84
85
85
Rods
86
Key Visuals for Language and Content
Three Ideas for Developing Key Visuals
Developing Thinking Skills with Key Visuals
Thematic Webbing
Semantic Maps
Example of a Graphing Activity
87
88
88
89
90
91
Chapter 5: Basic Classroom Resources
92
Learning to Teach with the Basics
92
Some Challenging Questions
93
What Are the Basic Classroom Resources?
93
The Board as Language Teaching Material
Advantages of the Board
Considerations in Board Selection and Use
Dividing the Board
Writing on the Board
Developing and Adapting Substitution Tables for the Board
Developing Simple Prompts on the Board
Developing and Adapting Dialogues on the Board
Developing and Adapting Drawings on the Board
Student Drawings on the Board
94
94
95
95
96
97
97
98
99
100
vii
viii
Contents
Developing Student Handwriting on the Board
100
Chart Paper as Language Teaching Material
Advantages of Chart Paper
Uses of Chart Paper
100
100
101
Other Types of Boards and Charts
Advantages of Other Types of Boards
Developing Uses for Other Types of Boards
Making Boards
101
101
101
101
Worksheets as Language Teaching Material
Why Develop Worksheets and Work Cards for Your Students?
Making Worksheets
Sample Worksheets
102
103
103
104
The Overhead Projector
Advantages of Using Overhead Projectors
General Considerations in Using Overhead Projectors
Activities with Overhead Projectors
121
121
121
123
The Power of Audiovisual
124
Audio as Language Teaching Material
Attributes of Audio CDs and Audiotapes
Types of Audio Material
Considerations in Selecting or Making Audio Recordings
Audio Listening Tasks
124
124
125
127
128
Language Labs
Advantages of Language Labs
Language Labs for Skills Development
Listening and Replying, and Free Speech
128
128
129
130
Video as Language Teaching Material
Attributes of Video Technology
Types of Recorded Video Material
Selecting Video Material
Options for Presenting Video
Activities with Video Material
Tips for Presenting Video
Video Recording Tips
Using Video Abroad
Copyright Restrictions Related to Audiovisual Material
131
131
131
135
136
136
140
140
141
142
Chapter 6: Computers and the Internet
143
Computer Lab Blues
143
Some Challenging Questions
145
Introduction to Computers and Computer Materials
Advantages and Limitations of Using Computers and
Computer-Based Materials
145
CALL
CD-ROM Technology
149
149
146
Contents
Types of CALL Programs
More on the Benefits and Drawbacks of CALL Programs
The Teacher’s Role
Integrating CALL Material into Your Curriculum
Evaluating CALL Materials
Designing CALL Materials
The Internet
Online Interactive Technologies
E-Mail and Live Chat
Internet Tips
Tips to Get Students Started on the Internet
Sample Computer-Based Activities
Sample Online Conference Activity
Computer-Based and Internet-Based Testing
149
153
154
155
155
156
156
158
158
161
162
162
163
164
Chapter 7: Project and Community Contact Materials
167
Tanya’s Language Learning Highlights
167
Some Challenging Questions
168
Projects
The Benefits of Project and Community Contacts
Stages in Project Development
Evaluation Tools for Project Work
Materials and Equipment for Projects
Project Ideas
Adapting Projects to EFL Contexts
168
168
169
177
178
178
180
Service Learning: Another Kind of Project
Benefits of Service Learning
General Structure of a Service Learning Project
Examples of Service Learning
Resources for Service Learning
180
180
181
181
183
Small-Scale Community Contact Materials and Tasks
Scavenger and Information Hunts and Materials
The Community and School as Resources
Maps and Map-Related Tasks as Material for Community Contacts
Pictures and Realia as Material for Community Contacts
Radio and Television as Material for Community Contacts
Telephone as Material for Community Contacts
Guest Speakers as Resources for Community Contacts
Other Possibilities
Resources Index
183
183
185
187
189
190
190
192
192
192
Appendix A: Major Publishers and Distributors of ELT Materials
193
Appendix B: Choosing Software
194
Appendix C: Computer Applications for Language Teaching and Learning
195
References
198
ix