HOW TO TEACH ENGLISH
What to do if the textbook is not appropiate?
Neville Grant suggests alternatives when the textbooks, for many reasons are not appropiate for the classroom, then it is very important:
- To omit the lesson and do something else.
- To replace the lesson with the teacher´s own lesson.
- To add to what is in the book, when the lesson is boring or too controlled or if it gives no chance for students to use that they are learning in a personal kind of way, then it is good alternatie since it uses the textbook´s strengths.
- To adapt what is in the book.
Using textbooks creatively is one of the premier teaching skills.
What do adding, adapting and replacing look like?
Addition:
Adaptation:
Example, "role-play"
Replace:
The teacher replaces the material with his or her own ideas
Addition, adaptation and replacement are so important because it is when the teacher's own creativity really cames into play.
The students can practie the language textbook but in a completely different context.
So why use textbooks at all?
Despite some worries about using a textbook, it is important to mention that students often feel more positive about textbooks, for them it is reassuring and allows them to look forward and back, giving them a chance to prepare what is caming and review what they have done.
For teachers also it is useful because textbooks have a consistent syllabus and vocabulary. They offer teachers a good help when they run out of ideas of their own.
How should teachers choose textbooks?
Analysis: The teacher look through various books.
Piloting: The teacher tries one or two different books with a class to see which lesson works.
Consulting: Teacher asks their colleages for a book they have already used.
Gathering opinions: Teacher gathers information about the book from the publisher, bookshop, colleages and friends. It is also a good idea to let students look through the book to see how they react to the first sight of it.
What to do if the textbook is not appropiate?
Neville Grant suggests alternatives when the textbooks, for many reasons are not appropiate for the classroom, then it is very important:
- To omit the lesson and do something else.
- To replace the lesson with the teacher´s own lesson.
- To add to what is in the book, when the lesson is boring or too controlled or if it gives no chance for students to use that they are learning in a personal kind of way, then it is good alternatie since it uses the textbook´s strengths.
- To adapt what is in the book.
Using textbooks creatively is one of the premier teaching skills.
What do adding, adapting and replacing look like?
Addition:
- Personal engagement
- Word study
- Word game
Adaptation:
Example, "role-play"
Replace:
The teacher replaces the material with his or her own ideas
Addition, adaptation and replacement are so important because it is when the teacher's own creativity really cames into play.
The students can practie the language textbook but in a completely different context.
So why use textbooks at all?
Despite some worries about using a textbook, it is important to mention that students often feel more positive about textbooks, for them it is reassuring and allows them to look forward and back, giving them a chance to prepare what is caming and review what they have done.
For teachers also it is useful because textbooks have a consistent syllabus and vocabulary. They offer teachers a good help when they run out of ideas of their own.
How should teachers choose textbooks?
Analysis: The teacher look through various books.
Piloting: The teacher tries one or two different books with a class to see which lesson works.
Consulting: Teacher asks their colleages for a book they have already used.
Gathering opinions: Teacher gathers information about the book from the publisher, bookshop, colleages and friends. It is also a good idea to let students look through the book to see how they react to the first sight of it.
