I found this chapter very interesting, probably because I am currently struggling to teach without a textbook. Especially considering that I am an inexperienced first-year teacher, that may actually not be the most effective idea ever... I know it isn't on Saturday nights when I'm creating my pretty handouts! :) I can certainly relate to the statement that it takes very much time and effort to develop your own teaching materials. It seems that just a simple worksheet or communicative activity can take hours to create! It all comes back to the question of reinventing the wheel...
The distinction between authentic materials and materials designed for the classroom appears to be blurring since many textbooks nowadays incorporate (at least some) authentic materials. This is really a step in the right direction: let's go beyond the 'clean' textbook language and help the students understand and learn the real deal - the slang, the youth language, the culture!
I can see how in today's search for a higher level of standardization, the use of a textbook can be helpful. However, the standardization can also be achieved through the appropriate use of a well-designed curriculum.
Since many classrooms seem to be influenced more by the textbook than by the curriculum, this chapter was very informative!
No comments:
Post a Comment