materials selection and use dr. margo glew [email protected] ms. anne baker [email protected]
TRANSCRIPT
Materials in the Classroom
What kind of materials or resources have you used in the classroom (as a teacher or as a learner)?
What types of materials/resources did you find most useful? Why?
What are some limitations of different types of resources?
Materials in the Language Classroom
Can be used to introduce, reinforce, or review language objectives.
Can provide valuable cultural input.
Can be a great source for ideas and inspiration for lessons, activities, projects, and units (even materials in other languages).
Cannot replace lesson planning – materials support but do not replace good teaching.
Limitations
Many Less Commonly Taught Languages have limited materials to choose from.
Many textbooks do not adequately address all language skill areas, particularly listening/speaking.
Not all textbooks are created equal.
Working with a Language TextbookBenefits: Limitations:
Provides a framework for learning (syllabus).
Cost-effective way of providing learning materials.
Convenient packageProvides useful guidance
and support for the teacher.
Learner can use a textbook to learn on their own.
Many textbooks have gaps and inadequately cover everything a given learner needs to learn.
The topics covered may not be of interest or relevant for learners.
Textbooks do not adjust for different levels or abilities of students.
Textbooks can become too easy for teachers to rely on.
Evaluating a Textbook:
What criteria are most important in a language textbook?
Review the list of criteria and indicate the importance of each one.
= important; = very important; = essential; - = not important
Evaluating a Textbook
1. Examine a textbook together and evaluate it based on the criteria.
2. For each criterion, give the textbook a score from 0 (does not meet this criterion at all) to 5 (completely meets this criterion).
3. Choose one criterion that scored poorly. How might you supplement in your class? Come up with a specific plan of materials and classroom activity.
Supplementary Materials
Language Materials Resource Page:http://delicious.com/msuflta
Resource Types
Authentic MaterialsGames, activities, projects, lessons
(language specific & generic (adapted))Create your own using your own
resources and/or tech tools
Authentic Materials…
are REAL instances of how people REALLY use the language.
provide a sense of satisfaction (motivation!).
are culturally appropriate.reflect changes in how language is
used.
Examples of Authentic materials
Advertisements – any media!
Brochures and pamphlets Calendars Cartoons Charts, graphs – weather,
demographics, etc. Cookbooks and recipes Floor plans Food labels and packing,
nutritional information Forms (customs, post-
office, bank, job applications etc.)
Horoscopes Letters, greetings cards, and
postcards Magazines Maps Movie reviews Poems / poetry Photos and images Schedules: transportation,
movies, etc. Song lyrics / songs
Leveraging ResourcesAdapting authentic materials
Authentic Materials Ideas for useTask and not text determines level
Example: Oprah Winfrey’s biographyHow can you use this with high-novice or
low-intermediate learners (second year)How can you use this with advanced
learners? (fourth year)?
Authentic Materials Ideas for useWork with your table. Choose one material below.
How could it be used for beginners? How could it be used intermediate level students?A traditional recipe. A bus schedule A brochure on events in a cityA supermarket flyer with prices of foods that
are on saleA sports schedule (times, networks)A map
(Insert images of authentic materials)
Leveraging ResourcesCreating Speaking/listenting
materials
Using textbook materials creatively
Think of 2 different activities to do with the material “The resume”
One of the 2 needs to involve speaking
Textbook materials
Your turn!Take a lesson from an ESL book.
Work with a partner to decide how you can use this material in a way DIFFERENT from the directions.
Make sure to include a speaking element!
Lesson Planning: Anatomy of a lesson
Microteaching- Demo
Microteaching- Instructions
Use a topic from the list5 minutesdelivered in the target language.Audience: 9 “true” beginners
during the first week of classinvolve some degree of interactionUse visuals
Microteaching- Topicsgreetings/introductionsnumberscolorsbody partsclassroom language and items in the
classroomdays of the week or months of the year foodfamily