How to Evaluate & Select ELT Material

As globalization brings the world closer together, the field of English language teaching is always expanding. Throughout the world individuals of all ages are entering English classrooms to learn what has become the most widely spoken language in the world. English language teaching can be fun and rewarding with the right materials. With the wealth of resources available to teachers in print and on the Internet, it is increasingly important to evaluate your materials with a critical eye, and select those that best suit your individual classroom needs.

Instructions

1. Determine your classroom ability. Look for materials containing adequate group and pair work for larger classes. Make sure your material is flexible enough to adapt to multiple levels, as larger classes tend to hold a broader range of abilities. Choose materials with primarily pair or whole-class work for smaller groups of students, and make sure the level is appropriate for your class.

2. Evaluate your class objectives. Determine if you will focuse on conversation or test prep, reading or writing. It is important for students of English to be exposed to all areas, but an oral English class should have materials with copious speaking activities.

3. Think about how much preparation time the materials would require, as well as what materials you would need and what resources are available to you. If a course book requires access to a DVD player and projector, make sure these items are available to you.

4. Choose materials that are applicable to your particular students' lives. Materials with pop culture references, rock music and reading passages about dating would be appropriate in a teen classroom while a book focusing on job interviews, resume writing and raising children would be more suited to adult students. Look for texts with a wide range of activities targeting multiple learning styles.

5. Look for materials that facilitate student-centered lessons. An effective English class is one where the students do the majority of the activity and the teacher serves as the assistant.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to supplement materials with your own activities or activities found online.

• Textbooks can be pricey. Consider the budgetary restrictions of your students when selecting materials.

References

• Indiana Department of Education: Tips for Selecting ESL Curricular Materials
• Northern Colorado Professonal Development Center: How to Choose a Good ESL Textbook
• Center for Applied Linguistics: Textbook Selection for the ESL Classroom

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish