A TEACHER FRIENDLY PROCESS FOR EVALUATING AND SELECTING ESL/ EFL COURSEBOOKS

Who will use the Coursebook? In what situation? Analysis of the Methodology and Syllabus A Closer Look at Individual Units Evaluation Strengths and Weaknesses of each Unit

Trialling Selection
Article 3: J o h n S h a v e . 2 0 1 0 . A Te a c h e r F r i e n d l y P r o c e s s F o r Evaluating And Selecting ESL/ EFL Coursebooks. T h e I n t e r n e t T E S L J o u r n a l , V o l . X V I , N o . 11 , November 2010.

Who will use the coursebook? In what situation?

The teaching and learning situation or context (meaningful) The learners and teacher (age, level, language learning experience, interest, learning styles) Type of methodology. Possibilities method: traditional teacher-centered methodology, a communicative approach or task-based learning. Single units are evaluated as how a unit presents language can indicate the strengths and weaknesses of coursebooks. The selection of unit depends on the unique situation and decided by the teacher.

Analysis of the Methodology and Syllabus

A closer look at individual units

Evaluation Strengths and Weaknesses of each Unit

Aims and approaches Language Content Skills Topic Methodology Trialling comparable exercises with the learners. Inclusion of learners in material evaluation can encourage ownership of the resulting decisions (Chambers, 1997: 29)

Trialling

Selection

The involved parties can now make a selection of an appropriate coursebook. Decisions based on the evaluation can be made to select the best way to use the material.