EFL Teaching Resources & Adapting Materials - PDF

Every teaching reality is different → Jill and Charles Hadfield represent those different realities in a reversed pyramid of resources. In a world that is changing continually and in which new technologies appear constantly it seems that those ones that are at the bottom of the pyramid face a barri...

Every teaching reality is different → Jill and Charles Hadfield represent those different realities in a reversed pyramid of resources. In a world that is changing continually and in which new technologies appear constantly it seems that those ones that are at the bottom of the pyramid face a barrier to language learning. However Jill and Charles hold that English teachers can do a lot with minimal or no resources and those students will learn anyways. They propose turning the pyramid the other way up, taking advantage of the resources that are available, not concentrating on the resources that we do not have or considering the lack of x resource as an impediment for learning to take place and instead concentrate on what we do have and how can we use them to reach successful learning. -​ Nothing -​ BB -​ Paper and pens -​ WB -​ Books -​ Cassette recorders -​ Photocopies -​ Language laboratories Other way up: -​ People -​ Real life -​ BB -​ Paper -​ WB -​ Books -​ Cassette recorders -​ Photocopies -​ Language laboratories -​ Videos -​ Computers Other resources: -​ the students themselves → their experiences -​ objects (realia) pictures (flashcards) cards -​ the coursebook which has its advantages (offer a coherent and organised syllabus, motivating texts, language control, offer extra activities and resources, perception of progress bc of units) disadvantages (does not pay attention to learning styles, monotone because all of the units have the same type of activities often in the same order) ALTERNATIVES FOR THE COURSEBOOK -​ DIY → create your programs -​ Use it as a springboard rather than as a manual -​ Omit and replace RESOURCES ARE CLASSIFIED INTO: -​ ways of showing -​ ways of finding out -​ ways of composing -​ ways of finding out AUTHENTIC VS NON- AUTHENTIC MATERIALS 1-WAYS OF SHOWING Technology provides different ways to showing things -​ The board-Note pad. Write things as they come up in the lesson.Explanation- aid, picture frame, public workbook, game board. -​ Projector and computer. 2-WAYS OF LISTENING -​ The teacher’s voice. -​ Listening to each other. -​ Audio tapes. -​ Songs 3-WAYS OF FINDING OUT · Technologies that ease finding out things. · Dictionaries, searching the internet, online encyclopedias, webquests 4- WAYS OF COMPOSING -​ Word processing, word editing: Use word processing software so that all students can work together. -​ Chat and blogging: Students exchange emails with other English learners around the world providing memorable experiences using English and the appreciation of different cultures. They can also chat online. Students can talk, and the internet allows breaking geographical barriers. Using blogs for sharing opinions. CLASIFICATION OF LEARNING MATERIALS. ü Personal: resources that the teacher carries with them – their voice, facial expression and gestures. This could extend to the teacher dressing in special ways for specific circumstances (such as telling a story or teaching vocabulary). ü Environmental: exist in the immediate (classroom) environment: the students, their clothing, the furniture, other objects in the room, objects visible from the room through the windows or door. ü Traditional: such as pens and pencils, paper, rulers, board, chalk or markers, and exercise or notebooks. ü Published: such as textbooks, course books, readers, reference books (dictionary, thesaurus) and grammar books. ü Customized: classroom materials such as flashcards, and worksheets. ü Computerized equipment such as computers, printers, scanners, LCD projector, and interactive whiteboards. AUTHENTIC AND NON AUTHENTIC MATERIALS Authentic Materials Non-authentic Material Texts designed for real native speakers and not Texts written especially for language students. Its for second language students. only purpose is for teaching. Newspapers, songs, textbooks, etc. Worksheets, books, instructional audios, etc. Advantages of authentic material There are plenty of options. It provides us with real world examples. It helps students to process the language as a native speaker. Disadvantages of Authentic Material It is not featured for lower course levels. It may put the affective filter up high as students are dealing with a largely unfamiliar language. Advantages of Non-Authentic Material It is appropriate and customized for every level. Disadvantages of Non-Authentic Material It does not guarantee students will understand Authentic Material. It does not provide a more real language experience. Teacher-designed materials Advantages: -Relevance: in accordance to students’ and institutional needs. -Flexibility: can be revised and adapted as needed. Disadvantages: -Cost: takes time to produce. -Quality: not the same standard as commercial materials. -Training: need to train teachers to prepare it. In deciding on teaching materials there are a number of options: Using teacher-made materials and authentic materials as the basis for the course. Choosing a suitable published course. Adapting a published course to match the needs of the Sts. Combination. Factors to consider when selecting and evaluating the material: -​ level -​ impact -​ content -​ clarity -​ accessibility -​ authenticity -​ practicality -​ durability -​ versatility. The main criteria for the selection: -​ appropriate to their developmental growth and relevant to the achievement of appropriate learning outcomes. Why do we need to be selective? Facilitates students’ construction of understanding through exploration so they are better able to examine, question, identify, organize, analyse, synthesize, and evaluate information. These processes and skills enhance deeper understanding of the subject matter and promote information literacy and lifelong learning. ADAPTING MATERIAL: -​ A process whereby certain parts of a whole textbook or a set of materials need to be modified to meet the needs of a specific teaching learning situation. -​ A small-scale process of changing or adjusting the various parts of a textbook/material. -​ Recommended over developing or producing new material as it is considered to be less time consuming and more effective than writing materials from scratch. PRINCIPALS FACTORS TO CONSIDER: 1.​ Personalize: increasing the relevance of content in relation with the learners’ needs. 2.​ Individualize: addressing all learning styles. 3.​ Localize: considering the geographical space where ELT takes place. 4.​ Modernize: as regards current English usage. ICT Information and Communication Technologies REDIFINIG SCHOOLS → According to Eaton, today’s EFL classes shouldn’t focus on grammar and vocabulary as the most important aspects of language teaching and learning, instead, they should focus on cultural knowledge and the use of language in order to communicate with others around the world. The teaching of language should be more learner centered, collaborative and technologically driven. As language teachers we need to teach our students to: -​ Communicate effectively in real life situations. -​ Effective communication as global citizens. -​ Cooperate with others and appreciate team work. -​ Be creative and innovative to find different ways to tackle problemsàrisk taking -​ Be critical thinkers and problem solvers. 21st CENTURY SKILLS