C h a p te r E l e v e n

C o u rse b o o k s
K a t h l e e n G r a v e s , S c h o o l fo r In te rn a tio n a l T ra in in g (U S A )

A t t h e e n d o f t h is c h a p t e r , y o u s h o u l d b e a b l e t o :
G o a ls

a n a l y z e h o w a c o u r s e b o o k is o rg a n iz e d a n d w h a t it e m p h a s iz e s .

d e v i s e w a y s to a d a p t o r s u p p le m e n t a n a c tiv ity fo r a s p e c ific

g ro u p o f le a rn e rs u s in g te c h n iq u e s s u c h a s p e rs o n a liz a tio n a n d
fo rm a t s h iftin g o r b y in tro d u c in g s u p p le m e n ta ry m a te ria l.

e x p l a i n h o w y o u w o u ld p re p a re le a rn e rs to d o a n a c tiv ity , h o w
y o u w o u ld m o n ito r th e m , a n d h o w y o u w o u ld fo llo w u p th e a c tiv ity .

225
1. W h a t is a c o u rs e b o o k ?
C o u rse b o o k s a re p r e p a c k a g e d , p u b lis h e d b o o k s u s e d b y th e stu d en ts
a n d t e a c h e r as th e p r im a r y b a s is f o r a la n g u a g e c o u r s e . C o u r s e b o o k s r a n g e
f r o m t h o s e t h a t a r e b r o a d l y f o c u s e d o n d e v e l o p i n g a l l l a n g u a g e s k il ls t o t h o s e
th a t f o c u s o n a s p e c i f i c s k i ll s u c h a s w r i t i n g , o r s p e c i f i c a r e a s u c h a s h o t e l
m a n a g e m e n t. In a d d itio n to th e stu d e n t b o o k , cou rsebook pack ages m ay
in c l u d e a u d io -c a s s e t t e s o r C D s , v i d e o s , w o r k b o o k s , C D - R O M s , te st p a c k a g e s
a n d I n t e r n e t m a te r ia ls . T h e y a lm o s t a lw a y s i n c l u d e a t e a c h e r s g u id e . I n th is
c h a p t e r , w e w ill f o c u s o n t h e s t u d e n t b o o k , s i n c e it is t h e o n e com pon en t
m o s t lik e ly t o b e u s e d b y a ll th e s tu d e n ts in th e c l a s s r o o m . E x a m p l e s w ill b e
ta k en fr o m in te g r a te d s k il ls cou rsebook s th a t a r e in te n d e d p r im a r ily fo r
le a r n e r s in c o u n t r ie s w h e r e E n g lis h is n o t a n a t io n a l la n g u a g e .
A c o u r s e b o o k is a l e a r n i n g t o o l s h a r e d b y t e a c h e r s a n d l e a r n e r s t h a t c a n
b e u s e d in s y s t e m a t ic a n d f l e x i b l e w a y s . In o r d e r t o u s e a c o u r s e b o o k s y s
t e m a t i c a l l y a n d f l e x i b l y , it is i m p o r t a n t t o u n d e r s t a n d h o w it is p u t t o g e t h e r
a n d h o w it c a n b e a d a p t e d to m e e t t h e n e e d s o f y o u r p a r t ic u la r le a r n e r s . T h e
c o u r s e b o o k p r o v i d e s a p l a n f o r l e a r n i n g , a v i s i b l e o u t l i n e o f w h a t is t o b e
le a r n e d in th e c la s s r o o m , as w e ll as a b a n k o f r e s o u r c e m a te r ia l a n d id e a s
(A c k la m , 1 9 9 4 ). W h a t h a p p e n s in th e c l a s s r o o m f i ll s o u t a n d t r a n s f o r m s t h e
o u tlin e in to le a r n in g e x p e r ie n c e s fo r th e stu d en ts.

2. B a c k g ro u n d to th e d e s ig n a n d u se o f c o u rs e b o o k s
M o s t p e o p le w h o h a v e s t u d ie d a fo r e ig n la n g u a g e h a v e u s e d a c o u r s e
b o o k a t s o m e p o i n t in th e ir s tu d ie s . T h e w a y c o u r s e b o o k s l o o k a n d w h a t t h e y
co n ta in g o h a n d a n d h a n d w ith th e p r e v a ilin g id e a s at th e tim e t h e y w e r e
p u b lis h e d about h ow la n g u a g e s a re b e s t ta u g h t a n d le a r n e d . U p u n til th e
m id -tw e n tie th c e n t u r y , la n g u a g e b o o k s w e r e u s e d m a in ly in a c a d e m ic se t
tin g s in o r d e r to u n d e r s ta n d th e w r itte n te x ts o f th e ta r g e t la n g u a g e . T h is
a p p r o a c h , w h ic h is s t ill c o m m o n in a c a d e m ic s e t t i n g s t o d a y , is c a l l e d th e
g r a m m a r tr a n s la t io n a p p r o a c h . C o u r s e b o o k s c o n t a i n l o n g r e a d i n g p a s
s a g e s , w it h v o c a b u l a r y g lo s s a r ie s a n d g r a m m a r n o t e s in th e s t u d e n t s m o t h e r
t o n g u e . S tu d e n ts a r e t e s te d o n t h e ir a b ilit y t o tr a n s la te te x ts w it h le x i c a l a n d
g r a m m a tic a l a c c u r a c y . In th e 1 9 6 0 s a n d 1 9 7 0 s, th e f o c u s s h ift e d f r o m gram
m ar tr a n s la tio n and its e m p h a s is on w r itte n tex ts to a u d io lin g u a lis m ,
w h ic h fo c u s e d on th e s p o k e n la n g u a g e . (S e e th e c h a p t e r s o n m e th o d o lo g y
a n d g r a m m a r , th is v o l u m e .) A u d i o l in g u a l is m w as an o u tg ro w th o f beh av-
io r is t t h e o r i e s t h a t l e a r n i n g is h a b i t f o r m a t i o n , t h e r e s u l t o f r e s p o n s e t o s t i m
u li. L a n g u a g e c o u r s e b o o k s u s e d d ia lo g u e s , p a t te r n p r a c t ic e , a n d s u b s t it u t io n
d r ills in w h i c h th e t e a c h e r p r o v i d e d a s tim u lu s s u c h a s a s e n t e n c e b e g i n n i n g

226 C h a p te r 11
w i t h they a n d a c u e she, a n d t h e l e a r n e r s p r o v i d e d a r e s p o n s e s e n t e n c e , c h a n g i n g
th e s u b je c t fr o m th e y to sh e . S tr u c tu r a l lin g u is tic s , w h i c h v i e w s l a n g u a g e
a s a s y s t e m , r e d u c i b l e t o a fin it e s e t o f g r a m m a t ic a l s tr u c tu r e s , a ls o h a d a
s tr o n g in flu e n c e on l a n g u a g e t e x t s . F o r e x a m p l e , E n g l is h 9 0 0 , a s e r i e s f ir s t
p u b lis h e d in 1 9 6 4 , c o n t a in e d 9 0 0 s e n t e n c e s . B y m a s t e r in g th e s e n t e n c e s , o n e
w a s s u p p o s e d t o h a v e m a s t e r e d th e la n g u a g e .
I n th e 1 9 7 0 s a n d 8 0 s , t h e r e w a s a s h ift t o w a r d th e n o t io n a l-f u n c t io n
a l a p p r o a c h , c h a m p i o n e d b y t h e C o u n c i l o f E u r o p e ( e .g ., V a n E k a n d
A l e x a n d e r , 1 9 7 5 ). L a n g u a g e w a s u n d e r s t o o d t o b e u s e d f o r p u r p o s e s , o r f u n c
tio n s , s u c h as e x p r e s s in g o p i n i o n s , a n d t o ta lk o r w r ite a b o u t b o t h a b s tr a c t
a n d c o n c r e t e to p ic s , o r n o t io n s , s u c h as tim e a n d w e a th e r . C o m m u n ic a t io n
t o o k p r e c e d e n c e o v e r g r a m m a r. C o u r s e b o o k s b e g a n to e m p h a s iz e fu n c t io n
a l la n g u a g e as w e ll as p a ir w o r k a n d g r o u p w o r k a c t iv itie s in w h i c h le a r n e r s
u s e d th e la n g u a g e to c o m m u n ic a t e w ith e a c h o th e r.
The d e v e lo p m e n t of E n g lis h fo r A c a d e m ic P u rposes (E A P ) and of
E n g lis h f o r S p e c if i c P u r p o s e s (E S P ) a ls o i n f lu e n c e d t h e k in d s o f m a te r ia ls th a t
w e r e p u b lis h e d . E A P c o u r s e b o o k s fo c u s o n th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f o n e o r tw o
s k il ls , s u c h a s w r i t i n g o r r e a d i n g f o r a c a d e m i c p u r p o s e s . E S P cou rsebook s
f o c u s o n t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f s p e c i f i c w o r k p l a c e s k il ls s u c h a s p u b l i c h e a l t h
a d m in is tr a tio n . E A P and ESP c o u r s e b o o k s u s e a u th e n tic m a te r ia l s u c h as
n e w s p a p e r a r tic le s a n d o t h e r s o u r c e m a t e r ia ls . T h e u s e o f a u t h e n t ic o r q u a s i-
a u t h e n t i c m a t e r i a l s is a l s o c o m m o n i n c u r r e n t c o u r s e b o o k s i n o r d e r t o s i m u
la te th e u s e o f la n g u a g e in r e a l c o n t e x t s .
O t h e r a p p r o a c h e s to t e a c h in g la n g u a g e s h a v e q u e s t io n e d th e e ffe c t iv e
n e ss o f c o u r s e b o o k s . T h e in tr o d u c tio n o f t a s k -b a s e d la n g u a g e t e a c h in g
in th e 1 9 8 0 s c h a l le n g e d t h e v e r y u s e o f c o u r s e b o o k s . I n t a s k -b a s e d a p p r o a c h
e s , l a n g u a g e is l e a r n e d t h r o u g h n e g o t i a t i o n w i t h o t h e r l e a r n e r s i n p r o b l e m
s o l v i n g o r t a s k - m a n a g e m e n t s it u a t io n s th a t f o c u s on m e a n in g , ra th e r th a n
fo r m , n o t th r o u g h le a r n in g p r e s p e c ifie d g r a m m a r , fu n c tio n s o r n o t io n s . T ask s
ca n ra n g e fr o m d is c u s s in g th e e ffe c tiv e n e s s o f a n a d v e r tis e m e n t a n d r e p o r t
in g o n th e d is c u s s io n to d e s ig n in g a n o r ig in a l a d v e r tis e m e n t. B e c a u s e c o u r s e
b o o k s s p e c ify la n g u a g e to b e le a r n e d , t h e y w e r e s e e n as i n c o m p a t ib le w ith
th is a p p r o a c h . H ow ever, m an y cu rren t co u rse b o o k s now in c lu d e task s o r
p r o j e c t s t o s tim u la t e in t e r a c t io n a n d n e g o t ia t io n a m o n g le a r n e r s .
O t h e r c r i t ic s h a v e c h a r g e d t h a t , b e c a u s e a c o u r s e b o o k s p e c i f i e s w h a t is t o b e
t a u g h t a n d l e a r n e d , it b e c o m e s a n o p e r a t i n g m a n u a l t h a t t h e t e a c h e r a n d s t u
d e n t s f o l l o w u n q u e s t i o n i n g l y . I t l e a v e s lit t le r o o m f o r d e c i s i o n - m a k i n g a n d a d a p t
in g to th e needs o f th e p a r tic u la r grou p . (S e e , fo r e x a m p le , Sw an, 1 9 9 2 .)
P r o p o n e n t s o f u s in g c o u r s e b o o k s h a v e a r g u e d th a t th e y p r o v i d e a n e e d e d s tr u c
tu re f o r in t e r a c tio n in th e c la s s r o o m a n d th a t le a r n e r s s e e th e t e x t b o o k as a g u id e
th a t h e lp s t h e m o r g a n iz e th e ir le a r n in g a n d p r o v id e s s e c u r ity (H u t c h in s o n a n d
T o r r e s , 1 9 9 4 ) . O n e p u r p o s e o f t h is c h a p t e r is t o h e l p t e a c h e r s u n d e r s t a n d h o w t o
t a k e a d v a n t a g e o f w h a t a c o u r s e b o o k h a s t o o f f e r a n d n o t f e e l d o m i n a t e d b y it.

C o u rs e b o o k s 227
R e f l e c t io n

T h in k b a c k on y o u r o w n e x p e rie n c e le a rn in g w ith a c o u rs e b o o k . D id yo u n otice

a n y d iffe re n c e s in th e c o u rs e b o o k s yo u u se d ? D id yo u fin d th e c o u rs e b o o k s a
h elp o r a h in d ra n c e ? W h y ?

3. P rin c ip le s fo r u s in g a c o u rs e b o o k

1. U n d e r s t a n d h o w t h e c o u r s e b o o k is o r g a n i z e d .

A c o u r s e b o o k p r o v i d e s a v i s i b l e o u t l i n e f o r w h a t is t o b e l e a r n e d i n t h e
c l a s s r o o m . C o u r s e b o o k s a r e o f t e n d e s c r i b e d m e t a p h o r i c a l ly a s m a p s ( O N e il,
1 9 9 3 ). M a p s p r o v i d e a g u id e to th e t e r r it o r y to b e c o v e r e d . T h e a c tu a l c la ss
room t e a c h in g a n d le a r n in g c a n b e v ie w e d as a jo u r n e y t h r o u g h th e te r r ito
r y . T h e f i r s t p r i n c i p l e f o r u s i n g a c o u r s e b o o k is t o b e c o m e f a m i l i a r w i t h t h e
te r r ito r y s o th a t y o u c a n p la n th e jo u r n e y .
M o s t c o u r s e b o o k s a r e o r g a n iz e d a r o u n d k e y fe a tu r e s o f la n g u a g e . T h e s e
fe a tu r e s in c lu d e t o p ic s a n d a s s o c ia te d v o c a b u la r y (e .g . f o o d o r tr a n s p o r ta
t i o n ) , g r a m m a r s t r u c t u r e s ( e .g . v e r b ten ses o r h o w to fo r m q u e s tio n s ), a n d
s o c i a l a n d c u l t u r a l i n t e r a c t i o n s k il ls ( e . g . h o w t o o r d e r i n a r e s t a u r a n t o r h o w
to p o lit e ly r e fu s e s o m e th in g ). C o u r s e b o o k s a ls o e m p h a s iz e tw o o r m o r e of
t h e f o u r s k i ll s o f s p e a k i n g , l i s t e n i n g , r e a d i n g , a n d w r i t i n g .
The firs t s te p is t o e x p lo r e th e c o u r s e b o o k to see h o w it is o r g a n i z e d .
O ft e n th e ta b le o f c o n te n ts (s o m e tim e s c a lle d s c o p e a n d s e q u e n c e ) p r o v id e s
a c h a r t th a t s h o w s h o w th e a u th o r s h a v e m a p p e d o u t th e te r r ito r y w ith in e a c h
u n it a n d a c r o s s u n its . K n o w i n g h o w th e b o o k is o r g a n iz e d c a n h e lp y o u to
m a k e d e c is io n s a b o u t h o w t o a d a p t it t o y o u r p a r t i c u l a r g r o u p o f stu d en ts.
E a c h u n i t o r c h a p t e r o f a c o u r s e b o o k is a m i c r o c o s m o f th e b o o k as a w h o le ,
s o o n e w a y t o g e t t o k n o w a c o u r s e b o o k is b y e x a m i n i n g a u n it .

R e f l e c t io n

L o o k a t th e T a ble of C o n te n ts e x tra c ts on p a g e 2 29 fro m th re e d iffe re n t in te rm e

d ia te le ve l c o u rs e b o o k s . W h a t fe a tu re s o f la n g u a g e are th e y o rg a n iz e d a ro u n d ?
W h a t a re th e s im ila ritie s a nd d iffe re n c e s in th e w a y s th e y are o rg a n iz e d ? W h a t
do y o u th in k a c c o u n ts fo r th e d iffe re n c e s ?

2 28 C h a p te r 11
r ~ L e a rn in g \
L is t e n in g a n d R e a d in g S t ra t e g ie s
U n it Tit le F u n c t io n s G ra m m a r P r o n u n c ia t io n a n d W rit in g a n d S k ills

L ife S to r ie s T a lk a b o u t p a s t S im p le p a s t te n s e : L is te n : lis te n t o a R ea d a b io g ra p h y L o o k fo r tim e

a c tio n s Q u e s tio n s , s h o rt b io g r a p h y to p u t W r ite a n o rd e r c u e s

T a lk a b o u t a n s w e rs e v e n t s in a u to b io g r a p h y in b i o g r a p h ic a l

fre q u e n c y o f W a s b o r n /m a r r ie d c h r o n o lo g ic a l W r ite a b io g r a p h y m a te r ia l

a c tio n s Ir r e g u la r p a s t o rd e r (P r o je c t) L is t e v e n t s in

T a lk a b o u t te n s e o f v e rb s P r o n u n c ia tio n : c h r o n o lo g ic a l

life s t y le s U sed to u s e to o rd e r a s a

T a lk a b o u t H ad to w r itin g s tra te g y

h a b its a n d R e p o rte d speech:

r o u tin e s v e rb say
j

F i g u r e 1 S u p e r G o a l 3 (M c G ra w -H ill, 2 00 2)

A lik e y e t d iffe r e n t -

S p e a k in g T h e r o le s o f m e n a n d w o m e n

L is te n in g S h o rt o r a l re p o r t w e e k e n d c o o k s

G r a m m a r R e v ie w o f c o n t r a s t in g t e n s e s : s im p le p r e s e n t v s . p r e s e n t
p r o g r e s s iv e ; p r e s e n t s im p le p a s t v s . p r e s e n t p e r f e c t

R e a d in g C o n t r a s t / c o m p a r i s o n H o w d iffe re n t a re m e n a n d w o m e n ?

C o n v e r s a tio n S h a r i n g n e w s a n d s t a t in g a n o p i n io n s t r a t e g ie s

G r a m m a r M o re a djec tive clau ses: Fran w o rks w ith a s is ter th a t sp ec ia lize s in interior decorating.

W r itin g P e r s o n a l re p o r ts ___________________________________________________ y

F i g u r e 2 C r o s s C u r r e n t s 1 (P e a rs o n E d u c a tio n L im ited, 1992)

L is t e n in g / In te rc h a n g e
r ~
To p ic s F u n c t io n s G ra m m a r P r o n u n c ia t io n W rit in g / R e a d in g A c t iv it y

U nusual G iv in g o p in io n s G e ru n d p h ra s e s L is te n in g to W r itin g a b o u t T h e best and

and a b o u t jo b s ; a s s u b je c t d e s c r ip tio n s c a re e r a d v a n ta g e s th e w o rs t

E x c e p tio n a l d e s c r ib in g and a n d o b je c t; o f jo b s ; and d is a d v a n ta g e s F in d in g out

jo b s c o m p a r in g jo b s c o m p a r is o n s w ith S e n te n c e s tre s s S t r a t e g ie s fo r abou t

er/more/less t h a n K e e p in g c la s s m a t e s '

and as ... a s Y ou r Job" su m m er or

R e a d in g a d v ic e p a r t-tim e jo b s

a b o u t b e h a v i o r in

th e w o rk p la c e
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F i g u r e 3 N e w I n t e r c h a n g e 3 : E n g lis h f o r I n t e r n a t io n a l C o m m u n ic a t io n
(C a m b rid g e U n iv e rs ity P re ss, 1998)

C o u rs e b o o k s 229
R e f l e c t io n
U sually, th e d iffe re n t la n g u a g e fe a tu re s o r c o m p o n e n ts o f a c o u rs e b o o k c h a p te r
o r u n it a re lin ke d to g e th e r a ro u n d a to p ic o r to p ic s. W h a t is th e fo c u s o f e ac h of
th e u n its p ro file d on p a g e 2 2 9 ? H o w a re th e c o m p o n e n ts o f e a c h u n it lin ke d?

2. A d a p t t h e m a t e r ia l.

C o u r s e b o o k s a r e n o t w r itte n f o r a s p e c ific g r o u p o f p e o p le . S in c e t h e y a re
m e a n t to b e u s e d b y d iffe r e n t o r s u c c e s s iv e g r o u p s o f le a r n e r s , t h e y c a n t b e .
T h e y r e w r i t t e n f o r a g e n e r a l i z e d t a r g e t g r o u p ( e .g ., f o r c h i l d r e n o r a d u l t s , f o r
u s e in E n g lis h s p e a k in g c o u n t r ie s o r in o t h e r c o u n t r ie s , f o r b e g in n e r , in te r
m e d i a t e o r a d v a n c e d le v e ls , a n d s o o n ) . N o b o o k c a n m e e t a ll th e n e e d s a n d
i n t e r e s t s o f e a c h g r o u p o f l e a r n e r s t h a t u s e s it. F o r t h i s r e a s o n , a c o u r s e b o o k
m u st be a d a p ted t o y o u r p a r t ic u la r g r o u p o f le a r n e r s . A c k l a m (1 9 9 4 , p . 12) s u g
g ests th e fo llo w in g a c r o n y m fo r a d a p tin g a c o u r s e b o o k : S A R S .

( S = S e le c t
W h a t p a rts o f th e c o u rs e b o o k do yo u d e fin ite ly w a n t to k eep ?

A = Adapt
W h a t p arts o f th e c o u rs e b o o k d o yo u b a s ic a lly w a n t to ke ep , b ut nee d to
c h a n g e in s o m e w a y to m a ke th e m m o re s u ita b le fo r y o u r s tu d e n ts , and in
tu n e w ith y o u r te a c h in g style?

R = R e je c t
W h a t p a rts o f th e c o u rs e b o o k do y o u d e fin ite ly w a n t to le av e o ut?

S = S u p p le m e n t
W h a t e lse do yo u n e e d to b rin g to th e c o u rs e b o o k to fu lfill th e re q u ire m e n ts
o f th e o v era ll s y lla b u s yo u a re w o rk in g to, a nd to re sp o n d to th e n e e d s of
y o u r p a rtic u la r s tu d e n ts ?

F ig u r e 4 S A R S (S e le ct, A da p t, R e ject, S u p p le m e n t)

R e m e m b e r , a c o u r s e b o o k is n o t a n i n f l e x i b l e d o c u m e n t , it is a l e a r n i n g
tool t h a t is u s e d by le a r n e r s and te a ch ers. Y our d e c is io n s a b o u t w h a t to
s e le c t , a d a p t , r e je c t a n d s u p p le m e n t d e p e n d o n w h o y o u r le a r n e r s a r e (a g e ,
in t e r e s t s , pu rp oses fo r s tu d y in g and la n g u a g e le v e l), w hat th e in s t it u tio n
e m p h a s iz e s , th e r e s o u r c e s a v a ila b le to y o u , h o w m u c h tim e y o u have, and

2 30 C h a p te r 11
w h a t y o u f e e l is i m p o r t a n t . I f t h e r e is t o o m u c h X , t h e n d o l e s s o f X . I f t h e r e
is n o Y , t h e n a d d Y , i f Z is u n n e c e s s a r y f o r y o u r s t u d e n t s , t h e n s k i p Z . F o r
e x a m p le , S a to (2 0 0 2 ) fo u n d th a t J a p a n e s e h ig h s c h o o l stu d en ts a n d te a c h e r s
in itia lly h a d d iffic u lt y u s in g c o u r s e b o o k s th a t e m p h a s iz e d s p e a k in g s in c e t h e y
w e r e a c c u s t o m e d to c o u r s e b o o k s th a t e m p h a s iz e d r e a d in g w ith a f o c u s o n
tra n s la tio n a n d g r a m m a r . T h e y w e r e a b le t o u se th e c o u r s e b o o k s m o r e e f f e c
t iv e ly w h e n th e te a c h e r s d e s ig n e d o r a l p e r fo r m a n c e a ss e ss m e n ts to b e d o n e
a t th e e n d o f e a c h u n it. T h e a d d i t i o n o f th e te sts g a v e th e le a r n e r s a g o a l a n d
th u s m a d e t h e m m o r e w illin g t o d o th e s p e a k in g a c tiv itie s in th e c o u r s e b o o k .
I n th e s e c t io n o n t e c h n iq u e s w e w ill l o o k a t w a y s t o a d a p t a n d s u p p l e m e n t a
cou rsebook .

3. P re p a re th e le a rn e r s .

In a n o n -lin e r e s e a r c h p r o je c t a c o lle a g u e a n d I c o n d u c t e d w ith a g r o u p

o f te a c h e r s f r o m fo u r d iffe r e n t c o u n t r ie s , w e fo u n d th a t c o u r s e b o o k a c tiv itie s
u s u a lly fa il n o t b e c a u s e t h e y r e t o o b o r i n g o r t o o c o m p l i c a t e d , b u t b e c a u s e
th e le a r n e r s h a v e n t b e e n a d e q u a te ly p r e p a r e d to d o th e m . P u t a n o th e r w a y ,
a n y c o u r s e b o o k a c tiv ity c a n b e s u c c e s s fu l as lo n g as le a r n e r s k n o w w h a t to
d o a n d h a v e t h e a b i l i t y t o d o it. ( I f t h e y d o n t h a v e t h e a b i l i t y t o d o t h e a c t i v
it y , th e c o u r s e b o o k m a y b e a t t o o h ig h a le v e l.) P r e p a r in g t h e le a r n e r s m e a n s
t w o t h i n g s . F i r s t , it m e a n s o r i e n t i n g t h e m to th e c o n t e n t a n d p u r p o s e o f th e
a c t i v i t y , t h a t is , m a k i n g s u r e t h e y k n o w w h a t t h e a c t i v i t y is a b o u t a n d w hy
t h e y a r e d o i n g it. S e c o n d , it m e a n s m a k i n g s u r e t h e y u n d e r s t a n d t h e s t e p s o f
t h e a c t i v i t y , h o w t o d o it. H o w e v e r , s i m p l y t e l l i n g t h e l e a r n e r s t h e w h a t, h o w ,
a n d w hy o f a n a c tiv ity d o e s n t p r e p a r e th e m . T h e y n e e d to d e m o n s tr a te e ith e r
v e r b a lly o r in a c t io n th a t t h e y h a v e u n d e r s t o o d .
P r e p a r i n g t h e l e a r n e r r e a l l y m e a n s p r e p a r i n g y o u r s e l f . W h a t is t h e c o n
te x t fo r th e a c tiv ity ? T h e im a g e s th a t a c c o m p a n y a n a c tiv ity a re o ft e n h e lp fu l
in p r o v id in g a c o n t e x t . H o w c a n y o u m a k e th e c o n t e x t c le a r a n d in te r e s tin g
t o t h e l e a r n e r s ? W h a t is t h e p o i n t o f t h e a c t i v i t y ? I s t h e f o c u s t o l e a r n g r a m
m a r ? Is it t o p r a c t i c e s p e a k i n g ? I s i t t o l e a r n v o c a b u l a r y ? T h e t i t l e o f t h e a c t i v
ity o ft e n p r o v id e s c lu e s to th e p u r p o s e . W h a t a r e th e ste p s in v o lv e d in c a r r y
in g o u t th e a c tiv ity ? H o w c a n y o u e n s u r e th a t th e le a r n e r s k n o w w h a t to d o ?
H o w l o n g w ill th e a c tiv ity ta k e ?

C o u rs e b o o k s 231
A c t io n
F ig u re 5 is a p a g e fro m a te x tb o o k a im e d a t y o u n g a d u lts /a d u lts a t th e
in te rm e d ia te level. T h e re are tw o a c tiv itie s on th e p ag e . D e s c rib e h o w you
w o u ld p re p a re th e le a rn e rs to d o e ach a c tiv ity s o th a t
a) th e y k n ow w h a t t h e a c tiv ity is a b o u t (H o w w o u ld y o u o rie n t th e m to the
c o n te n t? );
b) w h y th e y a re d o in g it (H o w w o u ld y o u m a ke s u re th e y u n d e rs ta n d the
p u rpo s e ? );
c) a nd h o w t o do it (H o w w o u ld yo u b re a k d ow n th e s te p s ? ).

D e c id e on a tim e lim it to g ive th e s tu d e n ts fo r e ac h activity.

1 Talk it o ve r
C o m p l e t e t h e s e n t e n c e s u s i n g s o m e o f th e w o r d s in t h e lis t.

W om en are m o r e . ___ th a n m en .
M e n a re m o re _ . th a n w om en .

c o m p e titiv e c a u tio u s l o g ic a l p o ss e s s iv e e m o tio n a l a g g re ss iv e

c o n s id e r a te in tu itiv e i n d u s t r io u s g en erou s r e la x e d se n s itiv e

C o m p a r e y o u r s e n te n c e s a n d o p in io n s w ith a c la s s m a te .
W h ic h s ta te m e n ts d o y o u a g r e e w ith ?

2 Talk about... C artoon s

L o o k a t th e se ca rto o n s.
D e s c r i b e w h a t is
h a p p e n i n g in e a c h o n e .
W h a t g e n e r a liz a tio n s d o
th e y sh o w a b o u t m e n ,
w o m e n , a n d c h ild r e n ?

H e d o e s n t k n o w a n y t h i n g e x c e p t f a c t s . '

W e l l, i f I c a l le d t h e w r o n g n u m b e r , w h y d i d y o u a n s w e r
th e p h o n e ?

A l i c e c a n b e a l i tt l e g i r l C o m m a n d o i n y o u r g a m e . D o n a l d .

F ig u r e 5 C r o s s C u r r e n t s 1 (P e ars o n E d u c a tio n Lim ited, 1992)

2 32 C h a p te r 11
4. M o n it o r a n d f o llo w u p .
A n y a c tiv ity a c t u a lly h a s t h r e e p a rts : p r e p a r a t io n , im p le m e n t a t io n , a n d
fo llo w -u p . W h il e th e stu d e n ts a re d o i n g a n a c tiv ity , y o u h a v e a n im p o r t a n t
r o l e : t o m o n i t o r v v h a l a n d h o w w e l l t h e y a r e d o i n g . T h e e a s ie s t w a y t o m o n
i t o r is t o w a l k a r o u n d t h e c l a s s r o o m a n d o b s e r v e w h a t t h e y a r e d o i n g , (in a
n e u tr a l, n o t a ju d g m e n t a l w a y ). A s y o u c ir c u la te , y o u c a n a n s w e r q u e s tio n s ,
k e e p tr a ck o f la n g u a g e p r o b le m s , o ffe r h e lp fu l c o r r e c t io n s (if t h e y d o n t in h ib
it f l u e n c y ) , a n d m a k e s u r e t h e y a r e d o i n g w rh a t t h e y a r e s u p p o s e d t o b e d o i n g .
M o n it o r in g a ls o h e lp s y o u t o s e e i f th e tim e lim it y o u se t w a s a p p r o p r ia t e a n d
w h e t h e r it w i l l n e e d t o b e s h o r t e n e d o r e x t e n d e d . O f t e n t e a c h e r s c o n c e n t r a t e
o n t h e s t u d e n t s i n t h e f r o n t r o w s a n d r e m a i n a t t h e f r o n t o n c e a n a c t i v i t y is
u n d e r w a y . C o n s e q u e n t ly , th e stu d e n ts at th e b a c k g iv e u p o n th e a c tiv ity a n d
t h e l e a r n i n g o p p o r t u n i t y is l o s t .
It h e lp s t o d e v e l o p s ig n a ls t o le t s t u d e n t s k n o w w h e n t o s t o p . I n s m a ll c la s s
e s , t h is c a n b e d o n e v i a l a n g u a g e s u c h a s O K , t i m e t o s t o p . I n l a r g e c l a s s e s ,
c la p p in g y o u r h a n d s o r r in g in g a b e ll a re m o r e e ffe c tiv e th a n u s in g y o u r v o ic e ,
u n l e s s y o u h a v e a r e s o n a n t v o i c e ! O n c e a n a c t i v i t y is d o n e , it is i m p o r t a n t t o f o l
l o w u p s o th a t s tu d e n ts c a n d e m o n s t r a t e w h a t t h e y h a v e le a r n e d o r a s k q u e s t io n s
a b o u t it. F o r e x a m p l e , i f s t u d e n t s h a v e p r a c t i c e d a d i a l o g u e i n p a i r s , t h e n a f e w
p a ir s c a n d e m o n s t r a t e t h e d i a l o g u e t o t h e g r o u p . I f g r o u p s o f t h r e e h a v e j u s t d i s
c u s s e d w h a t t h e y lik e t o r e a d a n d w h y , t h e n a f e w s tu d e n ts c a n r e p o r t to th e cla ss
on w hat th ey le a r n e d about th e ir p a rtn ers p r e fe r e n c e s . A lte r n a tiv e ly , th e
t e a c h e r c a n s u r v e y t h e c la s s . F o r e x a m p l e , H o w m a n y o f y o u l i k e t o r e a d ___ ?

5. B u ild a r e p e r t o ir e .

In a d d it io n to b e in g o r g a n iz e d a r o u n d k e y fe a tu re s o f la n g u a g e , a c o u r s e
b o o k g e n e r a lly h a s c o n s is t e n t t y p e s o f a c tiv itie s in e a c h u n it o r c h a p t e r s u c h as
p a ir a n d g r o u p ta sk s, r o le -p la y s , in fo r m a t io n g a p s , l i s t e n i n g t a s k s , a n d
v o c a b u la r y g a m e s . It h e lp s to b u ild u p y o u r o w n r e p e r t o ir e o f w a y s to d o e a c h
t y p e o f a c tiv ity . F o r e x a m p l e , m o s t lis t e n in g a c tiv it ie s in c lu d e s o m e k in d o f
ta sk . O n e w a y to a p p r o a c h a lis t e n in g a c ti v ity (a fte r th e a p p r o p r i a t e i n t r o d u c
t i o n t o w h a t i t s a b o u t ) is f o r s t u d e n t s t o l i s t e n t h r o u g h o n c e t o g e t t h e g e n e r a l
i d e a ; lis te n a s e c o n d t im e a n d d o th e ta s k in th e b o o k s u c h as a n s w e r q u e s t io n s
o r fill in a d ia g r a m ; a n d t h e n lis te n a t h ir d t im e a n d c h e c k th e ir a n s w e r s . I f y o u
fo llo w th is f o r m a t c o n s is t e n t ly , y o u p r o v i d e s o m e p r e d ic t a b ilit y f o r th e stu
d e n t s t h e y l e a r n f a m i l i a r w a y s t o a p p r o a c h a n a c t i v i t y . I t a l s o h e l p s t o h a v e
w a y s t o v a r y a n a c t iv it y o n c e s tu d e n ts a r e fa m ilia r w it h th e b a s ic fo r m a t . F o r
e x a m p l e , s t u d e n t s c a n t r y t o d o t h e t a s k b e f o r e t h e f ir s t l i s t e n i n g a s a w a y t o
c r e a te a n t ic ip a t io n fo r w h a t t h e y w ill h e a r.

C o u rs e b o o k s 233
 B u ild in g a r e p e r to ir e a ls o m e a n s h a v in g te c h n iq u e s fo r s u p p le m e n t in g
w h a t is in th e t e x t b o o k . P a r t o f m y o w n r e p e r t o i r e i n c lu d e s p u t t in g th in g s o n
c a r d s o r s trip s o f p a p e r th a t s tu d e n ts c a n m a n ip u la t e . F o r e x a m p l e , o n e w a y
t o t e a c h v o c a b u l a r y is t o h a v e s t u d e n t s w r i t e t h e v o c a b u l a r y w o r d s o n c a r d s
a n d t h e n g r o u p t h e m in s o m e w a y . A n o t h e r w a y is t o p u t p a r ts o f s e n t e n c e s
on c a r d s s o th a t stu d en ts c a n p u t th e m in o r d e r a n d le a r n th e g r a m m a r . I
s o m e t im e s w r ite p r o m p t s o n c a r d s f o r s p e a k in g a n d w r it in g a c tiv itie s. I a lso
h a v e stu d e n ts w r ite c o m p r e h e n s io n q u e s tio n s to r e a d in g p a s s a g e s o n cards
a n d q u iz e a c h o th e r.
The te a c h e r s g u id e th at a c c o m p a n ie s th e cou rsebook is an e x c e lle n t
r e s o u r c e f o r le a r n in g a b o u t w a y s t o te a c h a n d v a r y a c tiv itie s . W h e n A l is o n R i c e
a n d I w e r e w r i t i n g t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n t o t h e t e a c h e r s g u i d e f o r E a s t W est B a sics
( O x f o r d U n iv e r s it y P re ss, 1 9 9 4 ), w e i n c lu d e d n in e d iffe r e n t w a y s to p r e p a r e fo r
a d i a l o g u e a n d t e n d i f f e r e n t w a y s t o p r a c t i c e it. T e a c h e r s g u i d e s a l s o g i v e s t e p -
b y - s t e p s u g g e s t io n s f o r h o w to te a c h e a c h a c t iv ity in th e s tu d e n t b o o k .

4. C la s s ro o m te c h n iq u e s a n d ta s k s
I n th is s e c t i o n , w e l o o k a t t e c h n i q u e s a n d ta sk s f o r i m p l e m e n t i n g th e fi v e
p r in c ip le s o u t lin e d in th e p r e v io u s s e c tio n . The firs t t w o te c h n iq u e s are
d e s i g n e d t o h e l p y o u u n d e r s t a n d h o w t h e c o u r s e b o o k is o r g a n i z e d .

S u r v e y o r m a p th e te r r ito r y W h e n fa m ilia r iz in g y o u r s e lf w ith th e ta b le o f

c o n te n ts , tr y in g to ta k e in th e e n tir e c o n t e n t s o f th e b o o k c a n b e o v e r w h e lm
in g . S ta rt s m a ll, w it h a grou p o f u n its o r ju s t o n e u n it. S o m e books have
r e v i e w u n i t s , s o a n a t u r a l c h u n k is t h e g r o u p o f u n i t s l e a d i n g u p t o t h e r e v i e w
u n it. I f y o u o w n th e b o o k , m a k e n o t e s a s y o u g o t h r o u g h it a b o u t w h a t y o u
lik e , w h a t y o u d o n t lik e , w h a t y o u w a n t to e m p h a s iz e , s u p p le m e n t, and
r e je c t .
A n o t h e r w a y t o s u r v e y t h e t e r r i t o r y is t o m a k e a m a p o f it. T h i s m e a n s c r e
a tin g a n o n l in e a r v is u a l r e p r e s e n t a t io n o f t h e c o n t e n t s o f t h e b o o k o r u n it. B y ta k
i n g a p a r t t h e p i e c e s a n d r e a r r a n g i n g t h e m i n a v is u a l w a y , y o u b e c o m e f a m i li a r
w i t h w h a t is i n t h e b o o k . T h e s e k i n d s o f m i n d m a p s o r w o r d w e b s c a n b e
d o n e a t a n y l e v e l : b o o k , u n i t , o r a c t i v i t y . ( S e e A n d e r s e n , C h a p t e r 4 , t h is v o l u m e . )

G r o u p p r io r itiz in g T h e r e is o f t e n m o r e m a t e r i a l i n a c o u r s e b o o k t h a n y o u
c a n c o v e r in th e a m o u n t o f t im e a v a ila b le . R ic h a r d A c k la m su g g ests th e f o l
l o w i n g a c t i v i t y ( 1 9 9 4 , p . 1 3 ). G i v e o u t t h e b o o k s o n t h e f ir s t d a y [ o f c l a s s ] ,
a n d , f o r h o m e w o r k , a sk stu d e n ts to d e c i d e w h ic h t o p ic s /g r a m m a r a re a s in th e
b o o k th e y a re m o s t in te r e s te d i n /c o n c e r n e d a b o u t. T h e n e x t d a y th e stu d en ts
v o t e o n th e m o s t r e le v a n t p a r ts o f t h e b o o k f o r t h e m , a n d th is i m m e d i a t e l y
h e lp s th e t e a c h e r t o s e le c t a p p r o p r ia t e ly .

2 34 C h a p te r 11
 O n e a d v a n t a g e o f t h i s t e c h n i q u e is t h a t t h e a s s i g n m e n t g i v e s t h e s t u d e n t s
a r e a s o n fo r l o o k i n g t h r o u g h th e c o u r s e b o o k . It g iv e s t h e m o w n e r s h ip o f th e
t o o l a n d h e l p s t h e m u n d e r s t a n d it is f l e x i b l e . I t a l s o o p e n s d i a l o g u e a m o n g
t h e m a n d th e t e a c h e r . O n e d is a d v a n t a g e is th a t s o m e le a r n e r s m a y f e e l in t im
id a t e d o r in a d e q u a t e to th e ta sk . O r t h e y m a y fe e l th a t m a k in g t h e s e d e c is io n s
is t h e t e a c h e r s j o b . O n e w a y t o a d a p t t h i s t a s k w o u l d b e t o h a v e t h e m d o t h e
s a m e k in d o f p r io r it iz in g , b u t o n l y f o r o n e u n it.
T h e n e x t th r e e t e c h n iq u e s w ill h e lp y o u a d a p t th e m a te r ia l to y o u r p a r
tic u la r g r o u p o f le a r n e r s .

P e r s o n a liz in g P e r s o n a liz in g m e a n s a s k in g fo r o r g iv in g p e r s o n a l o r c u ltu r

a lly fa m ilia r in f o r m a t io n r e la t e d t o t h e m a t e r ia l in th e c o u r s e b o o k . T h is t e c h
n iq u e d raw s o n th e le a r n e r s e x p e r ie n c e s and o p in io n s and s o m a k e s th e
m a t e r ia l m o r e r e a l a n d a c c e s s ib l e t o th e s tu d e n t s . I r e m e m b e r o b s e r v i n g a
h ig h s c h o o l F r e n c h t e a c h e r t e a c h t e l e p h o n e n u m b e r s u s in g th e e x a m p l e s in
th e t e x t b o o k . T h e stu d e n ts w e r e bored and in a t t e n tiv e . B y s im p ly a s k in g
t h e m to u se th e ir o w n t e le p h o n e n u m b e r s , sh e w o u ld h a v e m a d e th e m a te r i
a l m o r e r e le v a n t a n d m o t iv a t in g . In a d d it io n to m a k in g m a te r ia l m o r e r e le
v a n t, p e r s o n a liz in g a ls o a llo w s fo r person al and c u lt u r a l c o m p a r is o n s .
L e a r n in g h o w to o r d e r f o o d fr o m a m e n u is a c o m m o n c o u r s e b o o k a c t i v i t y .
L e a r n e r s c a n b e a s k e d t o c o m p a r e th e w a y m e n u s a r e o r g a n iz e d in th e ir c u l
t u r e ^ ), w h a t ite m s c o s t, a n d w h a t f o o d ite m s a re in c lu d e d .
P e r s o n a liz in g c a n b e d o n e in p r e p a r in g f o r a n a c tiv ity , d u r in g a n a c tiv ity ,
o r f o l l o w i n g u p a n a ctiv ity . T a k e th e e x a m p l e o f o r d e r i n g f r o m a m enu. T h e
m e n u i n t h e c o u r s e b o o k is u n l i k e l y t o b e o n e s t u d e n t s h a v e a c t u a l l y u s e d . I n
p r e p a r a tio n f o r th e a c t iv it y , th e t e a c h e r c a n a s k s t u d e n t s t o m a k e a l is t o r
s k e tc h o f w h a t t h e y e x p e c t t o f in d in a m e n u . T h e y c a n t h e n c o m p a r e th e ir
l is t s t o t h e m e n u i n t h e b o o k a n d d i s c u s s h o w t h e y a r e s i m i l a r a n d d i f f e r e n t .
T o p e r s o n a liz e d u r in g th e a c tiv ity , th e le a r n e r s c a n d isc u s s fo o d s o n th e m e n u
th a t t h e y v e tr ie d , a n d o n e s t h e y v e n e v e r t r ie d , a n d w h e t h e r t h e y w o u l d w a n t
to o r d e r t h e m o r n o t . A s a f o l l o w - u p , th e t e a c h e r c a n a s k th e le a r n e r s to ta lk
about th e k in d s of re s ta u ra n ts th e y go to and w hat th ey u s u a lly order.
A lt e r n a t iv e ly , t h e y c a n p r e p a r e m e n u s w it h o n l y th e ir f a v o r it e f o o d s .

R e f l e c t io n
W h y is p e rs o n a liz in g im p o rta n t? W h a t a re s o m e c o n s id e ra tio n s w h e n p la n n in g
w a y s to p e rs o n a liz e th e m a te ria l a nd a c tiv itie s in a c o u rs e b o o k ?

C o u rs e b o o k s 235
 F o r m a t S h ift F o r m a t s h ift m e a n s s w i t c h i n g t o a d i f f e r e n t s k i ll o r g r o u p i n g
th a n th e o n e p r o p o s e d in th e b o o k .

S w i t c h i n g t o a d i f f e r e n t s k i ll : A r e a d i n g t e x t a b o u t p l a c e s t o v a c a t i o n i n
A u s t r a lia c a n b e u s e d a s a m o d e l f o r w r it in g a b o u t p l a c e s t o v a c a t i o n in
th e s tu d e n ts o w n c o u n tr y . T h e s a m e te x t c a n b e u s e d fo r p a ir d ic ta tio n
o r f o r p r o n u n c i a t i o n p r a c t ic e . I n o n e s e n s e , f o r m a t s h ift is a b o u t s u p p l e
m e n t i n g t h r o u g h s k i ll i n t e g r a t i o n : w h e n a p p r o p r i a t e , g i v i n g s t u d e n t s
o p p o r t u n it i e s t o s p e a k , lis t e n , r e a d , a n d w r it e a b o u t e a c h a c tiv ity .

S w itc h in g to a d iffe r e n t g r o u p in g : a p a ir q u e s tio n a n d a n s w e r a c tiv ity

a b o u t th e id e a l r o o m m a t e c a n b e c o m e a m i x e r in w h ic h th e w h o l e g r o u p
g e ts u p a n d w a lk s a r o u n d a n d ask s d iffe r e n t p e o p le th e s a m e q u e s tio n .
A n in d iv id u a l w r it in g a c tiv ity a b o u t th e p r o s a n d c o n s o f s c h o o l u n ifo r m s
c a n b e tu r n e d in t o a s m a ll g r o u p b r a in s t o r m a n d g r o u p e ssa y .

U s e p r o p s , v is u a ls , o r r e a lia P r o p s , v is u a ls a n d r e a lia s tim u la te v is u a l a n d

c u lt u r a l in te r e s t in a le s s o n . R e a lia a r e o b je c t s o r te x ts th a t a r e u s e d b y p e o
p l e i n t h e i r e v e r y d a y l i v e s . P r o p s a r e t h e a t r i c a l a i d s t o r e p r e s e n t a r o l e o r s it
u a tio n . V is u a ls a re p ic tu r e s , d r a w in g s , p h o t o s o r im a g e s . (T h e s e th r e e c a t e
g o r ie s v e r y o fte n b le n d .) R e a lia fo r a le s s o n about ph on e n u m b e r s m ig h t
in c lu d e a p h o n e b o o k o r a n a d v e r t is e m e n t w ith p h o n e n u m b e r s . R e a lia fo r a
u n it a b o u t p la c e s to v a c a t io n m ig h t in c lu d e to u r is t b r o c h u r e s . P r o p s f o r a le s
s o n o n p h o n e n u m b e r s m ig h t in c lu d e a t o y t e le p h o n e , a n d fo r a le s s o n o n
p la c e s to v a c a t io n , a b e a c h to w e l a n d sk i g o g g le s . O n e o f m y c o lle a g u e s u ses
a p la s t ic b o w as a h u m o r o u s p rop to d e m o n stra te a d ia lo g u e b etw een a
w o m a n a n d a m a n . H e p l a c e s th e b o w in h is h a ir w h e n s p e a k in g t h e w o m a n s
p a r t a n d a t h is t h r o a t w h e n s p e a k in g th e m a n s p a r t. V is u a ls f o r a l e s s o n o n
v a c a tio n s m ig h t in c lu d e p ic tu r e s o f d iffe r e n t v a c a tio n s sp o ts.
P r o p s , v is u a ls a n d r e a lia c a n b e u s e d b o t h t o p r e p a r e s tu d e n ts f o r a n d to
s u p p l e m e n t o r e x t e n d a n a c tiv it y . T h e t e a c h e r s h o u l d n o t b e th e o n l y s o u r c e
o f th e s e s u p p l e m e n t a r y m a t e r ia ls . S t u d e n ts c a n b e a s k e d to b r i n g in m a t e r i
a ls r e l a t e d t o t h e t o p i c s , s u c h a s p i c t u r e s o f t h e i r i d e a l v a c a t i o n s p o t o r p h o
t o s f r o m th e ir la s t v a c a t io n .
A c t io n

T h e tw o a c tiv itie s in F ig u re 5 (p a g e 2 3 2 ) are a im e d a t in te rm e d ia te a d u lt/y o u n g

a d u lt le a rn e rs. T h in k o f a g ro u p o f le a rn e rs th a t fits th a t d e s c rip tio n .
D e sc rib e :
h o w yo u w o u ld p e rs o n a liz e th e a c tiv itie s so th a t th e y a re re le v a n t to th e le a rn
e rs and h ig h lig h t p o te n tia l c u ltu ra l d iffe re n c e s .
d iffe re n t w a y s of g ro u p in g le a rn e rs to do th e m (in d iv id u a l, pair, s m a ll gro up ,
w h o le c la s s).
p ro ps, v is u a ls , o r re a lia yo u o r th e le a rn e rs c o u ld b rin g in to s u p p le m e n t the m .

236 C h a p te r 11
 T h e n e x t tw o te c h n iq u e s a r e d e s ig n e d to h e lp y o u p r e p a r e th e le a r n e r s to
d o th e a c tiv itie s .

V is u a l in s tr u c tio n s V is u a l in s tr u c t io n s is a f a n c y w a y o f s a y in g d e m o n
s t r a t e w h a t t o d o . T h i s t e c h n i q u e is b a s e d o n t h e n o t i o n t h a t s h o w i n g is m u c h
m o r e e f f e c t iv e t h a n te llin g . F o r e x a m p l e , t o i n t r o d u c e a p a ir a c t iv it y , y o u c a n
w r it e a n e x a m p l e o f th e p a ir e x c h a n g e o n th e b o a r d a n d t h e n u s e y o u r h a n d s
to r e p r e s e n t th e tw o s p e a k e r s as y o u d e m o n s tr a te th e e x c h a n g e . (S o m e te a c h
e rs u s e p u p p e t s , o t h e r s c h a n g e p o s it io n s .) Y o u c a n th e n a s k t w o s tu d e n ts to
s t a n d u p a n d m o d e l t h e e x c h a n g e . I f y o u a r e i n t r o d u c i n g a g r o u p a c t i v i t y in
w h i c h s t u d e n t s a r e t o s u r v e y e a c h o t h e r i n g r o u p s ( e . g ., a b o u t w h a t t h e y l i k e
to r e a d a n d w h y ), y o u c a n d e m o n s tr a te th e a c tiv ity b y a s k in g o n e s tu d e n t th e
q u e s t i o n s fi r s t a n d t h e n h a v i n g t h e s t u d e n t a s k y o u t h e s a m e q u e s t i o n s .

E lic ita tio n E lic ita tio n m e a n s a s k in g th e stu d e n ts t o p r o v id e in fo r m a t io n o r

e x a m p le s b a s e d o n w h a t th e y k n o w . I n p r e p a r in g fo r a n a c tiv ity th a t r e v ie w s
th e p r e s e n t p e r fe c t te n se , y o u c a n a s k fo r s e v e r a l e x a m p le s fr o m th e stu d en ts.
H o w e v e r , e lic it a t io n d o e s n t m e a n p u t t in g le a r n e r s o n th e s p o t. It o n l y w o r k s
w h e n y o u t r y t o e l i c i t w h a t t h e y a r e l i k e l y t o k n o w . B e c a u s e it e m p h a s i z e s t h e
le a r n e r s e x p e r ie n c e a n d k n o w le d g e , e lic it a t io n h e lp s to ta k e th e f o c u s o f f o f
th e te x t as th e sou rce o f a u th o r ity and h e lp s le a r n e r s b e c o m e m ore s e lf-
r e l i a n t , a n i m p o r t a n t s k i ll i n l e a r n i n g a l a n g u a g e . E l i c i t a t i o n w o r k s h a n d in
h a n d w ith p e r s o n a liz a t io n . T o p r e p a r e f o r a n a c tiv ity a b o u t r e a d in g p r e fe r
e n c e s y o u c a n f i r s t a s k t h e s t u d e n t s W h a t a r e t h i n g s w e r e a d ? a n d l is t t h e i r
r e s p o n s e s o n t h e b o a r d . I t is a l s o a w a y t o g e t d i f f e r e n c e s o f o p i n i o n , o r e x a m
p le s th a t a re d iffe r e n t fr o m t h o s e p r o v i d e d in th e c o u r s e b o o k . S t u d e n ts c a n
b e a s k e d w h e t h e r a p i c t u r e t h a t s h o w s a f a m i l y l i v i n g i n a l a r g e h o u s e is t h e
w a y m o s t p e o p l e l i v e . E l i c i t a t i o n is a l s o u s e f u l w h e n f o l l o w i n g u p a n a c t i v i t y .

R e f l e c t io n
F o r th e A ctio n b ox on p a g e 2 3 2 , y o u m a d e a list o f w a y s to p re p a re s tu d e n ts fo r
th e a c tiv itie s in F ig u re 5. H o w w o u ld y o u m o d ify th e m to in c lu d e v is u a l in s tru c
tio n s o r e lic ita tio n ?

T h e n e x t tw o te c h n iq u e s a re d e s ig n e d to h e lp y o u m o n it o r a n d fo llo w u p
w h a t th e stu d e n ts d o .

M is t a k e lo g O n e w a y to m o n it o r w h a t a n d h o w w e ll th e stu d en ts a r e d o in g
is t o k e e p a m i s t a k e l o g . M a k e a n o t e o f t h e a c t i v i t y a n d t h e c l a s s a n d a s y o u
c ir c u la t e , w r it e d o w n th e m is ta k e s y o u h e a r th e stu d e n ts m a k in g . M is ta k e s

C o u rs e b o o k s 237
 c a n b e g r a m m a t ic a l, l e x i c a l ( v o c a b u la r y ) , o r c u lt u r a l. T h e m is ta k e l o g c a n
t h e n b e u s e d in a n u m b e r o f w a y s . Y o u c a n u s e i t i m m e d i a t e l y a f t e r t h e a c t i v
ity a n d e lic it c o r r e c t io n fr o m th e stu d e n ts. F o r e x a m p le , in a n a c tiv ity fo r
p r a c t ic in g p o lit e w a y s to a sk fo r s o m e th in g , th e te a c h e r n o t ic e d th a t m a n y o f
t h e s t u d e n t s w e r e n o t u s in g t h e w o r d p le a s e, w h i c h w a s i n c l u d e d in t h e e x a m
p le s in th e b o o k . A f t e r th e a c t iv it y , s h e w r o t e t w o c o n t r a s t in g e x a m p l e s o n
t h e b o a r d C o u l d y o u b r i n g m e a g la s s o f w a t e r ? a n d C o u l d y o u b r i n g m e
a g la s s o f w a t e r , p l e a s e ? S h e a s k e d th e s tu d e n t s to d is c u s s th e d i f f e r e n c e a n d
w h y o n e w a s m o r e p o lit e th a n th e oth e r.
I f t h e r e a r e r e c u r r e n t m is t a k e s , f o r e x a m p l e i n c o r r e c t u s e o f te n s e s , y o u
ca n p r e p a r e a se p a ra te le s s o n a n d u se e x a m p le s fr o m th e l o g . T h e l o g w ill
a ls o s h o w y o u a n d y o u r stu d e n ts in w h ic h a re a s th e y a re im p r o v in g b e c a u s e
th e m is t a k e s o c c u r le s s fr e q u e n t ly .

G ro u p s u rv e y O n e w a y t o f o l l o w u p a n a c t i v i t y is t o d o a g r o u p s u r v e y o f
t h e r e s u lt s . S u r v e y s a n s w e r t h e q u e s t i o n s h o w m any, h ow o fte n , h o w m u ch ,
how l o n g , a n d s o o n . F o r e x a m p l e , a fte r a n a c t iv it y in w h ic h s tu d e n ts h a v e
a s k e d f o r a n d g iv e n i n f o r m a t io n a b o u t th e ir fa m ilie s , th e t e a c h e r w r it e s t h r e e
h e a d in g s o n th e b o a r d : o n l y c h ild , o n e b r o t h e r o r sister , m o r e th a n o n e b r o t h
e r o r s i s t e r , a n d t h e n s u r v e y s t h e c l a s s t o f i n d o u t h o w m a n y f it i n w h i c h c a t e
g o r y . In a g r o u p s u r v e y a fte r a n a c tiv ity o n r e a d in g p r e fe r e n c e s , th e te a c h e r
w r it e s e a c h t y p e o f r e a d in g o n th e b o a r d , a sk s f o r a s h o w o f h a n d s f o r e a c h ,
a n d w r ite s th e n u m b e r a fte r e a c h c a t e g o r y . S h e th e n a sk s th e g r o u p w h y th e
c a t e g o r ie s w ith th e m o s t a n d le a st n u m b e r s a r e th e m o s t a n d le a s t p o p u la r .

A c tiv ity c h a r t B u ild in g a r e p e r t o ir e r e q u ir e s s e ttin g u p s o m e k in d o f s y s te m f o r

k e e p in g tr a ck o f w h a t h a s b e e n s u c c e s s fu l s o th a t y o u c a n u s e th e t e c h n iq u e s
a g a i n . O n e w a y t o d o t h a t is t o m a k e a c h a r t w i t h t h e r e l e v a n t f o u r s k ills o f
s p e a k i n g , l is t e n i n g , r e a d i n g , a n d w r i t i n g ( d e p e n d i n g o n w h i c h y o u t e a c h ) , a s w e l l
as o t h e r f o c a l a r e a s s u c h as g r a m m a r , c u ltu r e , o r v o c a b u la r y .

C h a p te rs 2, 3, 7 a nd 8 in P r a c t ic a l E n g lis h L a n g u a g e T e a c h in g p ro v id e d e s c r ip
tio n s o f e x c e lle n t a c tiv itie s th a t ca n be u sed in th e c la s s ro o m . R e fe r to the
a p p ro p ria te c h a p te r in o rd e r to c o m p le te th e a c tiv ity c h art. W rite o ne o r tw o
a c tiv itie s fro m e ach ch ap ter.

F o c u s a rea L i s t e n in g S p e a k in g V o c a b u la r y G ra m m a r ^

A c tiv ity

V J

238 C h a p te r 11
5. U s in g a c o u rs e b o o k in th e c la s s ro o m
T h e p u r p o s e o f t h i s s e c t i o n is t o s h o w you s o m e o f th e w a y s la n g u a g e
t e a c h e r s u s e t h e c o n c e p t s a n d t e c h n i q u e s a l r e a d y d i s c u s s e d . T h e f ir s t e x a m
p l e s h o w s h o w a t e a c h e r p r e p a r e s t o t e a c h t h e f ir s t t w o a c t i v i t i e s i n a u n i t . T h e
secon d e x a m p le sh o w s h o w a t e a c h e r a d a p t s a n a c t iv it y in a u n it. T h e la st
e x a m p le sh o w s h o w a t e a c h e r p r e p a r e s h e r stu d e n ts to d o a n a c tiv ity , h o w
s h e m o n i t o r s , a n d h o w s h e f o l l o w s u p th e a c t iv ity .
T each er A t e a c h e s a t a la n g u a g e in s titu te in M o r o c c o . T h e le a r n e r s a r e
m e n a n d w o m e n , m a in ly in th e ir tw e n tie s , a n d a t a n in t e r m e d ia t e le v e l o f
E n g lis h . I n p r e p a r a t io n f o r t e a c h in g th e a c t iv itie s in F ig u r e 6 , T e a c h e r A h a s
m a d e n o t e s a b o u t h o w s h e w a n ts t o t e a c h th e a c t iv it ie s o n th a t p a g e .
L ook at th e t e x t b o o k e x c e r p t in F ig u r e 6 . N o t ic e h o w th e te a c h e r h as
a n n o t a t e d th e p a g e w ith h e r c o m m e n t s .

1 T a lk it o v e r

C o m p lete th e sen te n ces u sin g so m e o f th e w o rd s in th e list.

W o m e n are m o r e . t h a n m e n .- ! e x p a n d w /p h ra s e s a n d vo c a b .
M e n a r e m o r e __ _ th a n w o m en . / m a k e a li s t on t h e b o a rd

co m p e titiv e c a u tio u s lo g ic a l p o ss e s siv e e m o t io n a l a g g r e s s iv e

co n sid er a te in tu itiv e in d u s tr io u s gen erous rela x e d s e n s it iv e

C o m p a re y o u r se n te n ces a n d o p in io n s w ith a cla ssm a te .

W h ic h statem e n ts do y o u a gree w ith ?
L b r a in s t o r m
m o re

2 T a lk a b o u t. . . C a r to o n s

L o o k a t th ese ca rtoo n s.
D e sc rib e w h a t is
h a p p e n in g in e a c h one.
W h a t g e n e ra liz a tio n s do
th e y sh ow a b ou t m en,
w o m e n , a n d ch ild re n ?
W h a t s te re o ty p e s ?
W h a t r o le s ? H e d o e s n t k n o w a n y t h i n g e x c e p t f a c t s .

B r in g in o t h e r c a r t o o n s f o r b a la n c e .

W e i l, i f I c a ii e d t h e w r o n g n u m b e r , w h y d i d y o u a n s w e r
th e p h o n e ?

H o w d o t h e s e r e f le c t
M o r o c c a n c u ltu r e ?
A m e r ic a n ? W h y ?
A lic e c a n b e a li t t l e girl C o m m a n d o in y o u r g a m e . D o n a l d .

F i g u r e 6 C r o s s C u r r e n t s 1 (P e a rs o n E d u ca tio n L im ited , 1992)

C o u rs e b o o k s 239
 C o m m e n ta ry B e fo r e th e stu d e n ts e v e n o p e n th e b o o k , T e a c h e r A p la n s tw o
p r e p a r a t o r y a c tiv itie s (d is c u s s te r m s a n d b r a in s t o r m ) t o o r ie n t s tu d e n t s to th e
t h e m e o f th e u n it a n d to g e n e r a t e u s e fu l v o c a b u l a r y b a s e d o n th e ir o w n e x p e
r i e n c e . T h e f ir s t a c t i v i t y i n t h e b o o k T a lk it O v er a i m s t o p r o v i d e t h e v o c a b u
la r y a n d g r a m m a r n e e d e d t o c o m p a r e m e n a n d w o m e n as a b a s is f o r e x p r e s s
in g p e r s o n a l o p i n i o n s . T h e a c t iv it y a lr e a d y h a s p e r s o n a liz a t io n b u ilt in s in c e
s t u d e n t s a r e e x p r e s s i n g t h e i r o w n o p i n i o n s . H o w e v e r , a s it is a f o r c e d c h o i c e ,
th e stu d en ts m a y fe e l th e y h a v e to express o p in io n s th ey d o n t h o ld . T h e
t e a c h e r p la n s t o a d d a n a d d it io n a l g r a m m a r s tr u c tu r e A s ...a s s o th a t th e s tu
d e n t s c a n ta lk a b o u t s im ila r itie s in a d d it io n to d if f e r e n c e s . S h e p la n s to r e v ie w
t h e v o c a b u l a r y , h o w e v e r it is u n c l e a r f r o m th e n o t e s h o w s h e w ill m a k e s u r e
t h e y u n d e r s t a n d n e w v o c a b u la r y . I f s o m e stu d e n ts d o n t k n o w c e r ta in v o c a b
u la r y w o r d s , sh e c o u ld e lic it e x p la n a tio n s o r e x a m p le s f r o m th e stu d e n ts w h o
do.
The secon d a c tiv ity in th e book T alk a b o u t ... C a r t o o n s a s k s s t u d e n t s t o
d e s c r i b e t h e c a r t o o n s a n d t h e w a y t h e y g e n e r a l i z e m a l e a n d f e m a l e t r a it s a n d
r o le s . T h e tea ch er q u e s tio n s th e v ie w p o in t o f th e te x tb ook . She fe e ls th e
s t e r e o t y p e s a r e t o o tr a d it io n a l, s o s h e p la n s t o b r i n g in a d d it io n a l v is u a l m a t e
r ia l to s h o w a v a r ie t y o f p e r s p e c t iv e s .
A c t io n

T h in k of a p a rtic u la r g ro u p o f le a rne rs. C o n s id e r th e ir a ge , g en d er, level o f

E n g lish , a nd in te re s ts a nd p u rp o s e s fo r le a rnin g E n g lish . C h o o s e a p ag e fro m a
c o u rs e b o o k . W rite on th e p ag e w h a t yo u w o u ld ke ep , w h a t yo u w o u ld a da p t,
w h a t yo u w o u ld re je ct and w h a t y o u w o u ld s u p p le m e n t.

R e f le c t io n

L o o k a t T e a c h e r As n o te s in F ig u re 6. W h a t a re w a y s th a t s h e p la n s to s u p p le
m e n t th e m a te ria l? H o w d o e s s h e plan to a d a p t th e a c tiv itie s a nd w h y ? H o w w ill
s h e p re p a re th e s tu d e n ts ? H o w w ill s h e p e rs o n a liz e th e m a te ria l?

T e a c h e r B t e a c h e s a t a la n g u a g e in s titu te in B r a z il. H is s tu d e n ts a r e a d u lts

a t a n i n t e r m e d i a t e l e v e l . H e is t e a c h i n g A c t i v i t y 2 i n F i g u r e 7. I n t h i s a c t i v i t y ,
t h e y a r e a p p l y i n g t h e r u l e t h e y l e a r n e d i n A c t i v i t y 1.

2 40 C h a p te r 11
PRACTICE
1. R e a d t h e s e n t e n c e s in t h e b o x a n d a n s w e r th e
q u e s t i o n s b e l o w .

a . In C h o sl, P a tr ic k S w a y z e s ta r s a s a g h o s t w h o r e t u r n s to h e lp h is g i r lf r ie n d .
b . I n T h e A fr ic a n Q u e e n , K a t h a r i n e H e p b u r n s t a r s a s a w o m a n w h o t r a v e l s d o w n r i v e r in A f r ic a .
c . E.T, is a b o u t a n a l i e n w h o c o n i e s t o E a r t h a n d b e c o m e s f r i e n d s w i t h a y o u n g b o y .
d . A f i lm b u f f is s o m e o n e t h a t knows a lot a b o u t m o v ie s .
e. W h a t d o y o u c a ll a m o v ie th a t m a k e s y o u la u g h ?
f. A m u s i c a l i s a m o v i e th a t h a s s i n g i n g a n d d a n c i n g .
g . 1 l ik e m o v i e s th a t h a v e a l o t o f a c t i o n .

C ir c le t h e w o rd < ffh $ > in t h e s e n te n c e s . U n d e r l in e t h e w o r d t h a t . W h e n d o w e u s e w h o ?

W h e n d o w e u s e th a t?
* L o o k a t s e n t e n c e s f . a n d g . O n e s e n t e n c e u s e s h a v e , t h e o t h e r u s e s h a s. W h y ?

A n sw e rs o n p a g e 100

2. Pairs. M a k e a g u e s s . W h a t d o y o u t h i n k t h e s e f i lm s
a r e a b o u t ? C h o o s e f r o m t h e l i s t o n t h e r ig h t .

a . I n R om a n H o lid a y , A u d r e y H e p b u r n s t a r s a s a p r i n c e s s th a t e a rs s w im m e rs
b . T ro u b le in P a r a d i s e is a b o u t t w o t h i e v e s
c. Babe is a b o u t a p ig
d . T w i s t e r is a b o u t t w o s c i e n t i s t s th a t h a s s p e c ia l p o w e rs .
e. Jaws is a b o u t a h u g e s h a r k w h o s tu d y d a n g e ro u s to rn a d o s .
f. I n T h e M a s k , J i m C a r r e y f i n d s a m a s k w h o f a ll i n a n d o u t o f l o v e .

F ig u r e 7 T r a n s it io n s 1 (O x fo rd U n iv e rs ity P re s s , 1 99 8 )

T h e a c tiv ity ta k e s a b o u t fift e e n m in u te s .

T h e s e n te n c e s th a t a r e in th e b o o k h a v e b e e n tr a n s fe r r e d o n to c a r d s .
T e a c h e r B d i v i d e s t h e c la s s i n t o t w o g r o u p s o f s i x s t u d e n t s a n d h a n d s o u t a
s e t o f c a r d s t o e a c h g r o u p . H e t e lls t h e m to m a tc h th e ca rd s. S ix m o v ie s a re
d e s c r i b e d o n t h e c a r d s ; t h e r e a r e t w e l v e c a r d s i n e a c h s e t . E x a m p l e s : T rouble in
P a ra d ise is a b o u t t w o t h i e v e s . . . ( c a r d 1 A ) .. . w h o f a l l i n a n d o u t o f l o v e ( c a r d I B ) ;
B a b e is a b o u t a p i g . . .( c a r d 3 A ) .. .t h a t w a n t s t o b e a d o g ( c a r d 6 B ) . S t u d e n t s s it o n
th e f lo o r t o w o r k . T h e y s p r e a d o u t th e c a r d s o n th e flo o r b u t a re c o n fu s e d a b o u t
w h a t to d o . T h e t e a c h e r g iv e s t h e m a n e x a m p le b y m a t c h in g o n e p a ir o f s e n
t e n c e s h i m s e l f . O n c e s t u d e n t s h a v e u n d e r s t o o d w h a t t h e t e a c h e r is a s k i n g t h e m
t o d o , t h e y g e t d o w n to w o r k . S tu d e n ts in te r a c t l o u d l y w ith e a c h o t h e r as th e y
m o v e th e c a r d s a r o u n d a n d try to m a t c h t h e m c o r r e c t ly . T h e y m a k e a n e ffo r t to
u s e E n g lis h to c o m m u n ic a t e a n d d o s o s u c c e s s fu lly . T h e t e a c h e r s ta n d s b y th e
stu d e n ts as h e w a tc h e s t h e m w o r k in g , b u t d o e s n o t in t e r v e n e in th e ir n e g o t ia
tio n . S tu d e n ts a re o n ta sk t h r o u g h o u t th e a c t iv ity a n d a r e a b le t o m a t c h th e s e n
te n c e s c o r r e c t ly in th e e n d . O n c e t h e y h a v e fin is h e d m a t c h in g th e c a r d s , th e
t e a c h e r p la y s th e ta p e f o r t h e m to c h e c k th e ir a n s w e rs . (T h e ta p e h a s th e c o r r e c t
a n s w e r s .) T h e t e a c h e r c h e c k s t o s e e i f t h e y h a v e a n y q u e s t i o n s . T h e r e a r e n t a n y ,
s o h e m o v e s o n to th e n e x t a c tiv ity .

C o u rs e b o o k s 241
 C o m m e n ta ry T e a c h e r B a d a p t e d A c t iv ity 2 b y d o i n g t w o fo r m a t s w itc h e s . T h e
fir s t s w i t c h w a s f r o m r e a d i n g a n d d r a w i n g l i n e s t o s p e a k i n g a n d m a t c h i n g c a r d s .
In s te a d o f h a v in g th e le a r n e r s c o n n e c t th e t w o s e n t e n c e h a lv e s b y d r a w in g a lin e
in th e b o o k , h e tr a n s fe r r e d th e s e n t e n c e h a lv e s o n t o c a r d s . T h e s e c o n d s w itc h
w a s f r o m p a ir to g r o u p w o r k . In s te a d o f h a v in g t h e m w o r k in p a irs , as s u g g e s t
e d in th e b o o k , h e a s k e d t h e m t o w o r k in g r o u p s o f six . T h e te a c h e r a s s u m e d
th a t te llin g th e s tu d e n ts w h a t to d o w a s e n o u g h p r e p a r a t io n f o r th e a c tiv ity . It
d id n t w o r k . O n c e h e h a d d e m o n s tr a te d w h a t to d o , th e y u n d e r s to o d .

R eflection
W h y d o yo u th in k T e ac h e r B a d a p te d th e a c tiv ity th is w a y ? W h a t a re th e a d v a n
ta g e s o f d o in g th e a c tiv ity th e w a y th e te a c h e r h as d o n e it ra th e r th a n th e w a y it
is s u g g e s te d in th e b o o k ? W h a t a re th e d is a d v a n ta g e s ?

I se e tw o im p o r ta n t a d v a n ta g e s to th e w a y T e a ch e r B h as d o n e it -g r o u p
i n v o l v e m e n t a n d k i n e s t h e t i c m a n i p u l a t i o n . O n e p o s s i b l e d i s a d v a n t a g e is t h a t
stu d e n ts m a y n o t w a n t to w o r k o n th e f lo o r o r th a t th e r e m a y n o t b e s p a c e to
s p r e a d th e c a r d s o u t o n th e flo o r .
T e a c h e r C , in E x t r a c t 1 p a g e 2 4 3 , t e a c h e s in a p r iv a t e la n g u a g e s c h o o l in
H o n g K o n g . H e r s tu d e n ts a r e y o u n g a d u lts . I n th e f o l l o w i n g e x a m p l e , w e s e e
how s h e t e a c h e s a n i n f o r m a t io n g a p a c t iv it y s h o w n in F ig u r e 8 . In th is k in d
o f a c tiv ity , S tu d e n t A h a s in fo r m a t io n th a t S tu d e n t B d o e s n t h a v e a n d v ic e
v e r s a . T h e a c tiv ity r e q u ir e s th e stu d e n ts to u s e th e ta r g e t la n g u a g e in o r d e r to
fin d o u t th e m is s in g in fo r m a t io n . T e a c h e r C p r e p a r e s th e le a r n e r s to d o th e
a c t i v i t y , m o n i t o r s t h e m a s t h e y d o , it a n d f o l l o w s u p w i t h e x a m p l e s .
Action

A lo n g th e s id e o f E x trac t 1 (p a g e 2 4 3 ), d ra w lin e s w h e re th e th re e p h a s e s o f the

a c tiv ity (p re p a rin g , d o in g , fo llo w -u p ) b eg in and end.
T h e n n ote w h e re y o u fin d th e fo llo w in g :
O rie n tin g th e le a rn e rs to th e p u rp o s e o f th e a c tiv ity
O rie n tin g th e le a rn e rs to h o w to do th e a c tiv ity (m a k in g s u re th e y k n o w w h a t
to do)
E lic ita tion fro m le a rne rs
P ro v id in g a c o n te x t fo r th e a c tiv ity
M o n ito rin g th e a c tiv ity
P e rs o n a liz in g

242 C h a p te r 11
 S tu d e n t B : U se p a g e 1

n jy L o o k a t t h e i n f o r m a t i o n b e lo w . D e s c r i b e w h a t B i ll l ik e s t o y o u r p a r t n e r .
Y o u r p a r t n e r w i ll s u g g e s t g if t s f o r B i ll. D e c k l e w h i c h s u g g e s t i o n s a r e g o o d .

S tu d en t A : U se p a g e 1 0 7

(a) L i s t e n t o y o u r p a r t n e r a n d n o t e d o w n t h e t h i n g s B i ll lik e s .
S u g g e s t s o m e g if t s f o r B i l l. M a k e a l is t o f s u g g e s t e d g i f t s i n t h e c h a r t

B ill l i k e s . . . ] S u g g e s tio n s 1|

f C o n n ie lik e s ... 'j

I
L o o k a t t h e i n f o rm a t i o n b e lo w . D e s c r i b e w h a t C o n n i e lik e s t o y o u r p a r tn e r.

D e c i d e w i t h y o u r p a rt n e r w h ic h g if t s y o u s h o u l d g e t f o r B i ll a n d C o n n ie . Y o u r p a r t n e r w i l l s u g g e s t g if t s f o r C o n n i e . D e c i d e w h i c h s u g g e s t i o n s a re g o o d .

C o n n ie lik e s ...

r ****,
* r Cbss^ m sicl

D e c id e w it h y o u r p a rt n e r w h ic h g if ts y o u s h o u ld g e t f o r Bill a n d C o n n ie .

F ig u r e 8 E x p r e s s io n s 1 (H e in le /T h o m s o n , 2 00 1 )

In th e c la s s r o o m e x tra cts , T sta n d s fo r te a c h e r a n d S r e p r e s e n ts a p a r tic

u la r s t u d e n t . Ss s ta n d s f o r s tu d e n ts .

I E x tr a c t 1

T: R ig h t , n o w a r e y o u r e a d y t o d o t h e in f o g a p t a s k ? Y e s ? W e v e d o n e lo t s
o f th e s e , n o w , h a v e n t w e ?

Ss: (N o d )

77 T h e p u r p o s e o f t h is t a s k is t o g iv e y o u m o r e p r a c t ic e in t h e la n g u a g e
w e r e le a r n in g in t h is u n it. W h a t A R E w e p r a c t i c in g ? R e m e m b e r ?
Johnny?

S: T a lk a b o u t w h a t p e o p le lik e .

T: T a lk in g a b o u t w h a t p e o p le lik e g o o d . A n d ?

S: T a lk in g a b o u t g i f t g iv in g .

C o u rs e b o o k s ' 243
 T: T a lk in g a b o u t g i f t g iv in g . R ig h t . T h e s e a r e o u r c o m m u n ic a t io n g o a ls .
A n d w h a t s t r u c t u r e s d o w e u s e t o d o t h e s e t h i n g s ? . .. A n y o n e ? . . . Y e s ,
M a ry ?

S : W h a t d o yo u like? A n d W h a t do y ou like d oin g ?

T: G r e a t ! A n d w e u s e lik e t o t a lk a b o u t t h in g s , r i g h t ? A n d like d o in g to
t a lk a b o u t a c t iv it ie s . W h a t a b o u t m a k in g g i f t g iv in g s u g g e s t io n s ?

S: L e t s .

T: O K , g o o d , L e ts g e t him a C D , o r L e ts g e t Tom a g o lf c lu b . O K , n o w
W H E N d o w e g iv e p e o p le g if t s ? W H E N ? Y e s , M o n ic a ?

S: B ir t h d a y .

T: B ir t h d a y s a r e g o o d . (W rite s b ir t h d a y s on th e b oa rd ) J o h n n y ?

S: N e w ... n e w b a b y .

T: T h a t s a g o o d s u g g e s t io n . (W rite s n e w b a b y on th e b oa rd a nd c o n tin u e s
e lic iting until th e re are a n u m b e r o f e v e n ts on th e b oa rd .) O K , n o w g e t
in t o y o u r p a ir s a n d I w a n t S t u d e n t A t o lo o k a t p a g e 1 0 7 , a n d S t u d e n t B
to lo o k a t p a g e 1 0 8 . (P e ers o v e r s tu d e n ts s h o u ld e r) J o h n n y , y o u r e t h e
B s t u d e n t a r e n t y o u ? Y o u r e lo o k in g a t t h e w r o n g p a g e . 1 0 8 , p le a s e .
G o o d . N o w , B ill lik e s t h e t h in g s t h e A s t u d e n t s c a n s e e in t h e p ic t u r e , b u t
h e a l r e a d y h a s t h e s e t h in g s . O K ? U n d e r s t a n d , M o n ic a ? R ig h t . S o , t e ll
y o u r p a r t n e r w h a t B ill lik e s , a n d y o u r p a r t n e r w ill s u g g e s t g if t s . W r it e t h e
s u g g e s t io n s in t h e s p a c e , a n d t h e n d e c id e o n t h e b e s t id e a . O h , S t u d e n t
A s t a r t o f f b y s u g g e s t in g a r e a s o n f o r b u y i n g a g if t lo o k a t t h e
b o a r d i t s h is b ir t h d a y , h e s g o i n g a w a y a n d s o o n . R ig h t , o f f y o u g o .

(T h e s tu d e n ts c o m p le te th e tas k. A s th e y do so, th e te a c h e r c irc u la te s and

m o n itors . W h e n s h e h e a rs a m ista ke , s h e w rite s it in a n o te b o o k, b ut d oe s
n ot in te rru p t th e s tu d e n ts .)
T: O K , I t h i n k e v e r y b o d y s f in is h e d n o w . A r e y o u t w o f in is h e d ? R ig h t , g o o d .
S o , n o w I w a n t y o u t o d o t h e s a m e t h in g f o r C o n n ie . B , t e l l A w h a t
C o n n ie lik e s . A w il l m a k e s u g g e s t io n s . W r it e t h e m d o w n t h e n d e c id e ,
d e c id e o n t h e b e s t o n e , O K ?

(A g a in , th e te a c h e r c irc u la te s a nd m o n ito rs . A t o ne p o in t sh e is s to p p e d by
o n e pair, lis te n s to th e ir q u e s tio n a nd s a ys Its c a lle d a s u b s c rip tio n a
s u b s c rip tio n . )
T: O K , t i m e s u p . L e t s h e a r w h a t e a c h p a i r d e c id e d . (T e ach e r e licits
re s p o n s e s fro m th e s tu d e n ts a nd w rite s th e m on th e b o a rd .) W e ll, t h a t s
g r e a t lo o k a t a ll t h e s e in t e r e s t in g g if ts . W h ic h o f t h e s e g if t s w o u ld
Y O U lik e t o r e c e iv e , J o h n n y ? . . . S o r r y ?

S: T h e C a lif o r n ia F it n e s s S u b s c r ip t io n .

2 44 C h a p te r 11
 T: Y e a h , I l ik e t h a t o n e , t o o . H o w a b o u t y o u , S o p h ie ? (S he c o n tin u e s , e lic
iting s tu d e n ts p re fe re n c e s , a nd w ritin g th e ir n a m e s n e x t to th e g ift.) O K ,
n o w , y o u a ll d id v e r y w e ll, b u t I n o t ic e d a f e w m is t a k e s c r e e p i n g in h e r e
a n d th e re . L o o k .
(S h e w rite s th e m is ta k e s fro m h er n o te b o o k on th e b oa rd a nd g ets s tu d e n ts
to s e lf-c o rre c t.)

C o m m e n ta ry T e a ch e r C p r o v id e s a n e x c e lle n t e x a m p le o f h o w to in tr o d u c e
a n d m a in t a in c o n t r o l o f a n a c t iv it y s o th a t s tu d e n ts a r e fr e e t o c o n c e n t r a t e o n
th e task a n d p r a c t ic e th e ta r g e t la n g u a g e . W h e n sh e e lic it s e x a m p l e s , s h e
m a k e s s u r e t o c a l l o n a v a r i e t y o f s t u d e n t s . S h e is n o n j u d g m e n t a l i n t h e w a y
sh e m a k e s su re th a t stu d e n ts a re o n ta sk a n d in t h e w a y sh e in t r o d u c e s e r r o r
c o r r e c t io n at th e e n d . S h e p r o v id e s a h u m a n t o u c h in h e r r e s p o n s e s b y n o t
o n ly a s k in g f o r st u d e n ts p e r s o n a l p r e fe r e n c e s , b u t in c o m m e n t in g o n w h a t
th e y h a v e c h o s e n a n d o n w h a t sh e h e r s e lf w o u ld c h o o s e .

6. C o n c lu s io n
In th is c h a p t e r , I o u t lin e d s o m e o f th e w a y s in w h i c h c o u r s e b o o k s h a v e
c h a n g e d th r o u g h th e y e a r s , as w e ll as s o m e o f th e d is a d v a n ta g e s a n d a d v a n
ta g e s o f u s in g c o u r s e b o o k s . I th e n e x p la in e d fiv e p r in c ip le s f o r u s in g a c o u r s e
b o o k , f o llo w e d b y te c h n iq u e s th a t s h o w h o w to p u t th e p r in c ip le s in to p r a c
t i c e : h o w a c o u r s e b o o k is o r g a n i z e d , w a y s t o p r e p a r e f o r , m o n i t o r , a n d f o l l o w
u p a n a c t i v i t y , w a y s t o a d a p t a n d s u p p l e m e n t w h a t is i n a c o u r s e b o o k , a s w e l l
as h o w t o b u i ld a r e p e r t o ir e o f o n e s o w n . I n th e la st p a r t o f th e c h a p t e r , w e
lo o k e d at h o w th re e te a c h e r s p r e p a r e to te a c h u s in g a c o u r s e b o o k .

F u rth e r re a d in g s

G r a v e s , K . 2 0 0 0 . D esign in g L an gu age Courses: A G uide f o r Teachers. B o s t o n , M A :

H e i n l e & H e i n le .

Chapter 9, A dapting a textbook," goes into more detail about ways to adapt a
coursebook at the syllabus, unit, or activity level with step-by-step exam ples from
teachers. It also discusses the hidden curriculum of coursebooks.

R i n v o l u c r i , M . 2 0 0 2 . H u m a n isin g Your C oursebook: A ctivities to bring y o u r classroom

to life. L o n d o n : F irst P e r s o n P u b lis h in g .

This book describes 95 activities for using a coursebook with sections on warm-up
activities, grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, listening, speaking, and assessment.

C o u rs e b o o k s 245
 W o o d w a r d , T . 2 0 0 1 . A C e n t r a l T o o l : T h e C o u r s e b o o k , p . 1 4 5 - 1 6 0 in P la n n in g
L essons a n d Courses. C a m b r i d g e : C a m b r i d g e U n i v e r s i t y P re ss

T h is s e c t io n in c lu d e s id e a s f o r o r ie n t in g y o u r s e lf a n d t h e s t u d e n t s t o t h e c o u r s e b o o k

a s a w h o le a s w e ll a s t h o u g h t f u l w a y s t o a d a p t it.

H e lp f u l W e b s it e s

M a n y c o u r s e b o o k s n o w h a v e t h e ir o w n W e b s ite s t o p r o v i d e a d d i t io n a l
a c t iv it ie s .
H e r e a r e W e b a d d r e s s e s fo r a fe w o f th e m a jo r E S L /E L T p u b lis h e r s .

C a m b r id g e U n iv e r s ity P re ss (h t t p ://p u b lis h in g .c a m b iid g e .o r g /e lt )

H e i n le /T h o m s o n P u b lis h in g (h t t p ://w w w .h e in l e .c o m )

M c G r a w -H ill/C o n t e m p o r a r y (h t t p ://m h c o n t e m p o r a r y .c o m )

O x fo r d U n iv e r s it y P re ss (h t t p ://w w w .o u p .c o .u k )

R e fe re n c e s

A c k la m , R . 1 9 9 4 . T h e R o l e o f t h e C o u r s e b o o k . P ra ctica l English Teaching, 1 4 /3 ,

1 2 -1 4 .

H u t c h in s o n , T . a n d E . T o r r e s 1 9 9 4 . T e x t b o o k a s A g e n t o f C h a n g e . E L T J o u rn a l
4 3 /4 , 3 1 5 - 3 2 8 .

O N e il, R . 1 9 9 3 . A r e T e x t b o o k s S y m p t o m s o f a D i s e a s e ? P ra ctica l E nglish Teaching,

1 4 /1 , 1 2 - 1 4 .

S a t o , Y . 2 0 0 2 . T e a c h e r a n d S t u d e n t L e a r n i n g in th e W o r k p l a c e . P a p e r p r e s e n t e d
at th e a n n u a l c o n fe r e n c e o f th e J a p a n A s s o c ia t io n fo r L a n g u a g e T e a c h in g ,
S h izu o k a , J a p a n .

S w a n , M . 1 9 9 2 . T h e T e x t b o o k : B r id g e o r W a ll ? A p p lied Linguistics a n d L an guage

Teaching, 2 / 1 : 3 2 - 3 5 .

V a n E k , J . A . a n d L . G . A le x a n d e r 19 7 5 . Threshold L ev el English. O x f o r d :
P e r g a m o n P re ss.

246 C h a p te r 11