Organizations Fast TEFL

Course MaterialsThe choice of course materials in the ESL/EFL classroom is one that requires much consideration. There are so many options when exploring the different possibilities for materials in the classroom. Textbooks are a popular path to take when teaching ESL but there are sometimes downfalls with this choice. It is important to look at the different textbook from all angles to ensure that the class is always student centered and effective at helping the student truly learn the language. The choice of material can often be a difficult one. There are different kinds of material, the most common one being a textbook. There are many reasons why the textbook is the most common material used but the main one is the convenience. It is very difficult and time consuming to create new material for each class being taught, so many teachers opt for using material created for them. In addition to this reason, textbooks often have ideas for how to teach and conduct activities to reinforce the language lesson learned. They often have a general outline for how the class flows and creates continuity for the students in the learning process. Aside from textbooks however, there is always the choice of creating a curriculum which can sometimes be more effective and applicable to the class being taught. In considering the choice of material, most of whom choose the textbook, it is important to note that language teaching has five components according to Kitao; the student, a teacher, materials, teaching methods, and evaluation. The student should be the center of all of these. The teacher, the materials, the teaching methods, and the evaluation should all be based on the students. Kitao argues that content, methods, and procedures for learning are controlled by the textbook and this in turn is what and how the student will learn. The textbooks have a general philosophy of teaching and learning and this will become the center of the classroom. As a result of this, if the choice is to use a textbook for teaching, the teacher must be careful in the selection of textbook. In considering different textbooks for an esl course, one factor to examine is the overall attitude of the writer of the ESL textbook. All textbooks have writers with a general belief and philosophy about learning which either is or is not aimed towards truly helping students learn. Sometimes the philosophy is effective and sometimes is not. There are some other areas of the textbook that need to be examined, one of which is the accuracy and type of language used. It is important to make sure the English is recent and correct and that the ways of teaching the language are varied and useful. The way the textbook explains and teaches vocabulary is another section to make note of. The cultural aspect of the English textbook should be carefully examined to make sure the information is current and unbiased. Finally, the textbook should be reviewed from the students? perspective. The teacher needs to look at the topics presented in the textbook, the particular level of the exercises, and the directions and make sure they are clear and concise. Aside from which material the teacher chooses to use, the main priority of the teacher should be the student?s learning. The teacher should always consider the positives and negatives of using a textbook and examine what the particular class being taught needs. If the teacher chooses to use a textbook, the content should be thoroughly reviewed to ensure it is applicable to and appropriate for the class. The material should never become the main focus of the class; the material should simply assist the students in the learning process. Kitao, ?Selecting and Developing Teaching/Learning Materials.? http://iteslj.org/Articles/Kitao-Materials.html