Module 2 Course book materials

2.6 Selection and use of coursebook materials Trainer Notes LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this session participants will be able to: evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using coursebooks select and adapt coursebook materials related to learner needs and interests consider alternative approaches to coursebooks

KEY CONCEPTS

coursebook/textbook activity book workbook unit sequence

adapt select authentic materials dialogues realia

variety tasks tapescript interaction patterns personalize

MATERIALS

c Coursebook issues d Coursebooks - pros and cons + suggested answers e Letters to the Headmistress + suggested solutions f Evaluating coursebooks

Procedure
1 Learning Outcomes
Explain learning outcomes for session to participants

Coursebook issues

Ask participants what coursebooks they have used as learners and as teachers (if applicable). Elicit comments and thoughts on course books participants have used. Divide participants into groups and give out cCoursebook issues. Ask them to look at the comments in the balloons and discuss the questions together. Feedback explain that in this session participants will have an opportunity to explore these issues and find solutions.

Advantages and disadvantages of using coursebooks

Participants work in groups to brainstorm and list the advantages and disadvantages of using coursebooks. dCoursebooks - Pros and cons. Feedback show participants the completed table and ask them to compare their ideas with this. dCoursebooks - pros and cons - suggested answers.
For a range of views on using coursebooks, see the following link. If participants are interested in this, they could discuss which of the views most closely reflects their own. Tip http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/talk/questions/course-books

An English global product

The British Council, 2008

Page 1 of 2

The United Kingdoms international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.

Module 2 Course book materials

4 Letters to the Headmistress

Give out eLetters to the Headmistress. Participants look at the letters expressing problems with coursebooks. They then discuss how they would respond to the letters. Cut up and distribute solutions eLetters to the Headmistress suggested solutions. Participants match them to the letters. Feedback - ask groups to compare the given solutions with their own and then to evaluate them in terms of their usefulness/practicality.
For a discussion on making coursebooks more interesting, follow the link below. Tip http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/talk/questions/course-books

Evaluating coursebooks

Participants work in groups and consider the questions for evaluating units in their coursebooks. They match the questions to a category. Some questions may fit into more than one category. Feedback ask participants to suggest other questions or categories they feel are relevant to evaluating their own materials.
For a detailed list on what to check in coursebooks, follow the link below. Tip www.gabrielatos.com/CB-Use-TTEd.pdf

Reflection
Ask participants to reflect on the following questions: Think about your coursebook/textbook. What kinds of activities etc do you need to adapt? How much can you use without making any adaptations? Discuss your ideas with a partner what is similar/different?

An English global product

The British Council, 2008

Page 2 of 2

The United Kingdoms international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.