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BOOKS & MATERIALS: Choice of usage of course books & which one is emotive issue. Ideally all schools would have materials needed but reality is not. Teachers often have to create their own materials to supplement course books. But for many students material created by teacher more interesting, more relevant. TWO TYPES OF MATERIAL: 1.AUTHENTIC MATERIALS: Nearly anything a native speaker would hear/read can be described as authentic ? programmes, magazines newspapers, songs, poems, menus, films etc. Authentic materials not designed for EFL students so not graded for level therefore must be selected carefully. Teacher must decide what students are to do with material i.e. used for different tasks at different levels eg a tv guide used at elementary level for students to identify different shows while higher level students can compare it with TV stations in their native country. WHY USE AUTHENTIC MATERIALS? ?Are real & therefore more interesting & motivating. ?Students gain confidence when they understand them. ?They can be geared to the interests of particular group of students. 2.CREATED MATERIALS: Designed by teacher to replace/supplement material from a course book. Artistic teachers use abilities for material production while other less artistic teachers rely on pictures cut from magazines/newspapers etc. Unlike authentic materials they can be graded to level of students. Common Materials Are: ?Crosswords ?Word Search Puzzles ?Role-Play card ?Flashcards ?Gap Fill Activities ?Picture Stories Pages 3-9 give examples. ?Tree Crossword ?How do you feel find the words ?Somebody/person who? ?Role-play cards etc.etc. NOTE: A good resource for making own crosswords, word searches etc. can be found at: www.puzzlemaker.com COURSE BOOKS: Usually consist of set of materials: ?Students book - classroom use. ?Workbook for individual/supplementary work, class work, homework etc. ?Cassettes for use in class & home. ?Teachers book ? step by step guide as to how to teach the material in student?s book also called progress tests. ?Sometimes a video ? video activity to reinforce the material in students bool ?Other published materials i.e. reading books, graded to varying student levels, test books, learner dictionaries, vocabulary flash cards ?Most common course books i.e. Headway, reward & English File series for British English & Interchange/New Interchange for American English. Books vary in different countries & depend on local availability. COURSE BOOK ADVANTAGES: ?Usually expected by students ?Although not all material suited for your class it is much easier & less time consuming to supplement than to design a syllabus & create materials from scratch. ?Provides a syllabus which is graded to a level suitable for students. ?Normally provides a balanced mix of grammar, vocabulary & skills work. ?Offers continuity & progression. ?Provides security for students & teachers. ?Materials will normally have been tried & tested before publication. ?Usually attractive & appealing to the eye. ?Continually practices language items previously introduced. ?Teacher?s book offers good ideas for inexperienced teacher. COURSE BOOK DISADVANTAGES: ?Does not always fit needs & interests of all class members. ?Students may not like book & may be reluctant to us it. ?Exclusive use of a course book can be come predictable & boring for students ?Can make teachers lazy ? stop them being creative & searching for activities & materials to motivate & interest students. ?Course book nearly always a compromise. ?Most course books on market designed for use be all nationalities & may not cover in depth language problems specific to nationality of students being taught. ?Teachers don?t get to choose course books & many are out-dated & unattractive to students. ?Course books dictate what is to be taught ? this can stop teachers analysing particular problems that students may have & prevent lessons from being student centred. BEST USE OF COURSEBOOKS: ?If you have a choice ? look at range that could be used for your group which is most suitable. ?Don?t use course book for whole lesson. ?When planning lessons think about what will motivate students & what needs to be supplemented/adapted/replaced ?Think how much time will be needed for each task ? create balanced lesson. ?Explore ways to match book needs to students need. ?Approach book critically ? read teachers book but also do research into language. Look for difficulties nit highlighted by authors. ?Don?t base all lessons round course book ? look at what students need. ?Don?t regard course book s solution to everything ? try new ideas & vary activities. FOUR DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR COURSE BOOK USE: 1.OMIT: Teachers may decide to omit certain lessons from course book if not beneficial/relevant to students. Care must be taken because if teacher omits too much the students may wonder why they bought book in first place. 2.REPLACE: Instead of omitting unsuitable material rather replace it with similar more appropriate material. 3.SUPPLEMENT: Sometimes teacher may want to add extra material to course book to re enforce a language point or to extend students engagement with language. 4.ADAPT: Teachers will use same basic materials but in their own way & style. ANALYZING A COURSE BOOK: If fortunate enough to choose course book for particular class he/she will need to analyze & consider following: ?Price: How expensive is book in relation to income level of students/area? ?Availability: Are books readily available in local area? Do books allow for progression through various levels? Are supplementary materials available? ?Design: is book attractive? Will teacher & students feel comfortable with it? Is it user friendly? ?Methodology: Is there good balance between study & activation? Does it readily allow for ESA style lessons? ?Skills: Is there appropriate mix & balance of skills ? reading, writing, listening & speaking: ?Difficulty: Is level of language right for students? ?Syllabus: Does book cover right language points for level? Does syllabus constantly review previously taught language items? Does it progress in difficulty? ?Topic: Are topics relevant, varied & interesting for students? ?Teachers Guide: Does teachers book provide all help, information & answers you require? ?What ancillary materials are there - Student workbooks, audio cassettes, videos, CD ROMS etc.?
