Summary Unit 25

Selection and use of Aids

Aids:
Resources and equipment available to use in the classroom, as well as the resources we can bring into the classroom:

• Cassette recorders
• CD players
• Video recorders
• Overhead projectors
• Beamer
• Visual aids
• Realia
• Flashcards
• Puppets

Summary Unit 24

Selection and use of supplementary materials and activities

What are supplementary materials and activities?

• Books and other materials or activities we can use in addition to the course book to complement and enrich our class.
• They include skills development materials, grammar, vocabulary and phonology practice materials, collections of communicative activities and teacher´s resource materials.
• They may also come from authentic sources (newspapers, magazines, videos, etc.)

Why use supplementary materials and activities?

• To replace unsuitable material in the course book.
• To fill in the course book.
• To provide suitable materials for learners´particular needs and interests.
• To give learners extra language or skills practice.
• To add variety to our teaching.

Important:

• Before deciding to use these materials, you should check how appropriate the level is for your learners.
• Think about the language they will need to understand or to produce.
• If you are using supplementary materials with different procedures, you need to give special attention to the instructions.
• You can adapt many supplementary materials for use with classes at different levels.

Making materials.

• Choose a language point for which you want to make your own learner tasks, preferably having in mind a course or class you know.
• Make a sample worksheet or work card.
• Exchange your resulting materials and discuss.

Dictionaries

Here are some useful websites for dictionaries:

• www.thefreedictionary.com
• www.onelook.com
• www.merriam-webster.com
• www.langtolang.com
• www.freedict.com
• www.ectaco.com
• dictionary.reference.com
• dictionary.cambridge.org

Useful websites for teachers

Here are some useful websites, please add more.

• www.manythings.org
• a4esl.org
• www.englishclub.com
• www.bbc.co.uk
• web2.uvcs.uvic.ca
• www.onestopenglish.com
• www.teachingenglish.org.uk

Summary

Unit 22 Consulting reference resources to help in lesson preparation

 

What are reference resources?

• They are all the information about language and about teaching that we can refer to for help in lesson preparation.
  
• Reference material (dictionaries, grammar books, methodology books and articles, teacher's books, websites)
  
• People
  

Reasons for using reference resources:

1. Checking the form and use of grammatical structures (Grammar books)
   
2. Checking the spelling, pronunciation and use of Lexical items (Dictionaries)
   
3. Developing your own understanding of Language (Language Awareness Books)
   
4. Anticipating learners' difficulties (Common errors)
   
5. Looking for new approaches to teaching lessons and new classroom activities.
   
6. Finding out how to use the material in your course book (Teacher's books or Resources book)
   
7. Getting advice about particular lessons or teaching materials (Colleague's Approach)
   

Reference resources:

• Posters
  
• Flashcards
  
• CD ROMS
  
• Computer programs
  
• Games
  
• Songs and Chants
  
• Tongue Twisters
  
  
   
  Unit 23 Selection and use of course book materials
  

Course book materials are all the material in a course book package that we use in the classroom to present and practice language, and to develop learners' language skills:

• Student's book
  
• Teacher's book
  
• Audio
  
• Video
  
• Workbook
  
• CD-ROM
  

Which course book to use?

• Is the material visually attractive?
  
• Is it well organized?
  
• Is it culturally appropriate?
  
• Is it suitable for learner's age, needs and interests?
  
• Will the topics be motivating?
  
• Is it at the right level?
  
• Does it provide a clear enough context or explanations for learners to understand new language?
  
• Does it give learners enough opportunities to use the language?
  

When the course book is not appropriate:

• Replace the course book
  
• Adapt the course book
  

Important concepts:

• The course book will normally provide the main content for a lesson, while material that needs to be more personalized for learners will probably come from the teacher (or from the learners themselves)
  

Course book provide:

• Situation/context
  
• Pictures
  
• Dialogues and texts
  
• Tasks and exercises
  

Teachers can provide additional:

• Warmers
  
• Instructions
  
• Role-plays
  
• Homework tasks
  

Project: a lesson plan

• You have to write a lesson plan. 
• The topic is optional. 
• The deadline is October 9th.
• You have to prepare 8 copies of your lesson plan so your classmates and I will give you a feedback.
• If you have questions along the way, just let me know and I'll help you.
• Keep in mind the theory reviewed in class.