Textbooks: Evaluation for Selection and Analysis for Implementation

By Professor Latoya Murray H.


An interestig reading about textbooks used for the teaching of English and the process they go through before being introduced to students is Evaluation for Selection and Analysis for Implementation.

Many teachers have the thinking that textbooks are only for students to use but Patricia Byrd, writer of this book states that textbooks used in class are very important not just for learners but also for teachers because when it comes to teaching with textbooks students and teachers are searching for the exact same things. A textbook is composed out of three essential elements which are: content and explanation, examples, and exercises.  It happens to be that these elements are the same that both sides are looking for when it comes to the learning  and teaching of English.
When we decide to use a textbook in our classes we need to ask ourselves questions about whether the  book is going to fulfill the learner's needs, that is if it's interesting and draws their attention, if the explanations are clear enough for them to understand, do they provide opportunities for students to use the language in a meaningful way, among many other questions. teachers as well need to make questions on how well the texbook used in class will help in their student's evaluation and other important points.
So to conclude, in the future when thinking to use a textbook take time to ask yourself if it is suitable for you and your students.

Principles for Effective Materials Development

By Professor Latoya Murray H.

When it comes to teaching, there are many things that need to be taken into account.  Such is the case of the material that we use to develop our lessons.

The kind of material that we use plays an important part in our classes because it can either bore students or motivate them.

Brain Tomlinson author of Principles of Effective Materials Development has proposed at least 15 principlpes for material development.  According to the writer, material used in class should expose students to language in authentic use, provide the learners with opportunities to use the target language to achieve communicative purposes, achieve impact in the sense that they arouse and sustain the learners' curiosity and attention stimulate intellectual and emotional involvement, just to mention some of the principles. These are very important principles that as teachers we must have in mind when creating or innovating material for our lesson development.