Materials Evaluation and Design - Week 6 - Coursebook Based Teaching

Introduction: Hello and welcome to Week 6 of the course Materials Evaluation and Design. In this class we will debate the pro's and con's of ELT's current textbook based paradigm. Then we will review key concepts regarding working with textbooks to select, adapt, and supplement the materials to better support our students' learning needs.

Today's Goals:

• Debate the pros and cons of using a coursebook as the primary didactic material in an ELT program and compare your arguements with ones made in the professional literature.
• Review a planning framework for working with coursebooks in a professionally responsible way.
• Explore a sample textbook and choose what you would select, adapt, replace, and supplement.

Guiding Questions:

• What are the arguments in favor and against using a coursebook as the primary didactic material in an ELT program?
• What principles or frameworks can help teachers make better decisions about how to use coursebook materials?

Task 1: Mini-Debates

In this class we will participate in a mini-debate with one student in favor, one against, and a third acting as a judge to select the winner based on who gave the most convincing argument. Students will have only 45 seconds to make their arguments.

Task 2: Pros and Cons of Coursebook Based Teaching

In this activity, you will have a class debate about the pros and cons of coursebook based language teaching. Students in favor will have two minutes to speak. Students against will have two minutes to reply. Then there will be a final two minute period for open discussion. During this time, judges will take notes of the arguments. 

• Judge Notes: CLICK HERE

Task 3: What does the literature say?

Take a moment to review some of the arguments from the professional literature about the dominating influence of coursebook based methodologies in ELT. Use the highlight function to mark any of the ideas that came up in your debate.

• Professional Arguements: CLICK HERE

Task 4: Textbook Adaptation Task

Now you will work with your partners to review a unit from a sample textbook and decide who you could extend and exploit some of the activities. Click your group link below and follow the instructions. 

• Group 1: CLICK HERE
• Group 2: CLICK HERE

References:

McGrath, I. (2016). Materials Evaluation and Design for Language Teaching (2nd ed.). Edinburgh University Press. 

Ur, P. (1991). A Course in Language Teaching. Cambridge University Press.