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QUESTIONS FOR DEBATE ON MATERIALS & RESOURCES:

1. To start this debate, lets talk about the design of the teaching materials we are currently

working with.

a) Which aspects are more frequently considered?

b) Which aspects are seldom or never considered?

c) What do you usually do to make up for those deficiencies?

Whenever materials are prepared the aspects that are often considered are:

Not only the level of students, but their command of the language according to the level. Attractiveness: the more appealing the material is the better results it may have Age of students: students of different ages may have different interests. This represents a

challenge especially in classroom where ages are not heterogeneous.

In my opinion, the aspects that are seldom considered are

Multiple intelligences: although it is true that a power point presentation, worksheet, etc mayinclude different types of intelligences, this is an aspect that is included per se, but no

thought or even sought

. Timing. It is common not to have enough time for all the tasks that are planned.In order to make up for those deficiencies it is important to know the class and students one is

teaching. Adapt the material that has been used before. Keep in mind that every group of students

or every student for that matter is different to the students one has taught before. It is a common

practice to recycle material from another class, but that may not always work, so adapting materialsto current students needs, will probably be a lot more convenient. Always consider timing.

2. Please comment on: "Creating original materials to meet our students' needs: procedure,

aspects to bear in mind and difficulties".

Creating original material to meet our students needs is potentially the best way to get the best of

our students. It presents several benefits for it is very likely students will reinforce exactly what the

target lesson is, they will surely find it appealing and entertaining which will lead to them being

engaged. In order to do so, it is important that the teacher is aware of the different learning styles

students have (multiple intelligences) especially in a mixed ability classroom and try to target them.Therefore the teacher needs to have analyzed the students beforehand. One of the main difficulties

that may arise is that preparing your own tailor-made activities which is time-consuming and very

likely cannot be recycled for other future groups.

3. Do materials disappoint educational interests and learners expectations? Why?

As an English teacher I have had the chance to teach some methodology courses and as I always

tell my students and fellow colleagues, it is not what you bring to class, but what you do with it. It is

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true that textbooks do not always meet students (and even teachers) expectations, but enrichment

is always a latent possibility. Course books and material available at institutions where we work,

bookstores or even online are, a lot of times, a starting point. I firmly believe that is our responsibility

to improve that. In the place

4. Should materials be driven by syllabus needs, learners needs or market needs? Why?

5. How can we make material evaluation and adoption effective and not a burden on the

shoulders of busy teachers?

6. How could we involve learners in evaluation of ELT materials? Learners feedback is,

undoubtedly, a useful source of information for further classroom decision but learners

evaluating the material entail a change of attitude towards the traditional teaching approach.

Please comment.

7. Which are the most relevant criteria which teachers should take into account when

evaluating the effectiveness of materials? Is the specification of these criteria an easy task?

Why?

8. Discuss the self evaluated tasks & the assignment. That is, if you have a doubt or

question about the assignment, this is the place to try it out.