LANGUAGE LEARNING MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT/

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL (IM) DEVELOPMENT

First Term, First Semester, A.Y. 2021-2022
Competencies:
1. Define and discuss the role, design, and use of instructional materials
2. Distinguish between and among types of Instructional materials
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS (IMs for Teaching Language)
• Instructional materials may be operationally defined as especially designed
classroom tools which contain instructions to learners and teachers, and which
specify each increment of learning: the content to be learned; the techniques of
presentation; practice and use of that content; and the modes of teaching
associated with those techniques (Johnson, RELC Journal)
• Instructional materials generally serve as the basis for much of the language input
learners receive and the language practice that occurs in the classroom (Richards)
• IMs are an important element within the curriculum and are often the most tangible
and visible aspect of it (Nunan, 1991)
• They can provide a detailed specification of content, even in the absence of the
syllabus (Richards and Rodgers, 1986).
• They can define the goals of the syllabus, and the roles of the teachers and the
learner within the instructional process (Wright, 1987)
ROLE OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
Cunningsworth (1995) summarizes the role of materials (particularly course books)
in language teaching as a:
• resource for presentation materials
• source of activities for learner practice and communicative interaction
• reference source for learners on grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, etc.
• source of stimulation and ideas for classroom activities
• syllabus (where they reflect learning objectives which have already been
determined)
• support for less experienced teachers who have yet to gain in confidence in the
language classroom.
Dudley-Evans and St John (1998) suggest that for teachers of ESP courses,
materials serve the following functions:
• As a source of language
• As a learning support
• For motivation and stimulation
• For reference
BENEFITS OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
There are many benefits of IMs for both teachers and students in facilitating the
teaching and learning process. Here are some of the common identified benefits:
Teachers
• Provide materials for presentation of new items for reinforcement, consolidation,
and practice
• Provide materials for teaching particular skills, particular areas of languages, and
other special difficulties
• Guide the teacher on the methods and techniques in introducing the lessons and
the series of exercises for teaching the concepts
• Give them more opportunity to make the best use of their time and skills to do more
real teaching
Students
• Concretize the syllabus
• Opportunity for individual work in or outside the classroom
• Follow a course of study with little help from teachers
Take note that IMs are developed to augment the teaching and learning process.
However, teachers remain to be the prime motivators in the classroom. Thus, the effective
use of IMs are expected to teachers—the facilitators of learning.
BASIC PRINCIPLES in MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT (Tomlinson, 1998)
• Materials should achieve impact.
• Materials should help learners to feel at ease.
• Materials should help learners to develop confidence.
• What is being taught should be perceived by learners as relevant and useful.
• Materials should require and facilitate learner self-investment.
• Learners must be ready to acquire the points being taught.
• Materials should expose the learners to language in authentic use.
• The learners’ attention should be drawn to linguistic features of the input.
• Materials should provide the learners with opportunities to use the target language
to achieve communicative competence.
• Materials should take into account that the positive effects of instruction are usually
delayed.
• Materials should take into account that learners differ in learning styles.
• Materials should take into account that learners differ in affective attitudes.
• Materials should permit a silent period at the beginning of instruction.
• Materials should maximize learning potential by encouraging intellectual, aesthetic
and emotional involvement which stimulates both right and left brain activities.
• Materials should not rely too much on controlled practice.
• Materials should provide opportunities for outcome feedback.
TYPES OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
1. Textbook
• Main reference for the entire course
• Usually chosen by the school  Reflects the minimum learning
competencies for specific levels
• Arranged in units or chapters which can be labeled according to themes,
topics, skills, grammar structures or functions depending on the syllabus
type followed.
• Contains readings, teaching points, drills, activities, and tasks for every day
lessons
2. Workbook / Skillbook
• Usually accompanies the textbook
• Provides exercises and drills on specific skills in listening, speaking, reading
and writing
• Presents reinforcement and remedial activities to support lessons in the
textbooks
3. Teacher’s Book/ Teacher’s Manual / Teacher’s Guide
• Contains a detailed rationale for textbook  Explain the scope and the
sequence for the lessons
• Includes introductory notes on how to use the textbooks, specific objectives
for each lessons and suggested strategies for teaching the lessons
• Provides guidance in planning the lessons from materials to suggested
activities
4. Work Text
• Combines the features of the textbooks and workbooks
• Provides teaching points like those in the textbook
• Reinforces the teaching points with many drills and exercises just like those
that contain an A-Z or practical suggestions for teaching
5. Module and Self-Learning kit (SLK)
• More interactive than the other types of written IMs that appear in the
workbook
• Develops independent study through self-paced instruction
• Contains post-test, pre-test, lesson inputs, exercises and drills –
provisions for self-paced learning
6. Reference Book
• Provides general information on various topics
• Includes encyclopedia, dictionary, atlas, manuals, etc.
7. Multimedia Instructional materials
• Audio and Visual materials accessible through various media like radio,
television and the computer
• Also includes interactive courseware on various topics