Comments on: ELTJ in defence of textbooks Part One

By: Natasa

Natasa — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:41:01 +0000

Ever since this discussion started I have been trying to find out where I stand on the subject of textbooks. The idea of walking into the classroom without a textbook (and without 1000 pages of photocopiable material to substitute for it) makes me break into cold sweat. So, I guess I want to have a textbook after all, I just don’t want to be its slave. I am not an idiot, so why do textbook writers treat me as one? Why do they have to plan my every move? And why are curriculum develpers so worried that I will run out of ideas, or go astray and wonder away from their intentions. OK, I guess I could choose what to do and skip what I don’t want to do. But textbooks are very expensive nowadays and it isn’t very nice to ask the students to by a book only not to use it later.
I have already said this in Karenne’s blog – maybe we shouldn’t concentrate so hard on what we don’t want and try to work out what kind of textbook we would like to have.

By: Nick Jaworski

Nick Jaworski — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:03:57 +0000

Hey Alex, just wanted to say thanks for the mentions and the links on the last couple blogs. I really appreciate it and am glad you like the site. I put a lot of effort in to get er up in runnin.

I started the new job and am absolutely swamped. Things should settle down in a week or two. Can’t find the time to keep up with everyone of late.

Very interesting research in this article here. I’m debating moving away from textbooks with my core group of experienced teachers, but this definitely gives me some food for thought. A very useful post.

By: Sandy MAc

Sandy MAc — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:03:09 +0000

Two responses to “How can we explain this apparent mismatch between the movement of language teaching theory towards greater negotiation and individual choice in the classroom on the one hand, and the development of ever more comprehensive and structured textbooks on the other?” come to mind.

1. The mere notion of giving students greater control and choice in the classroom is therefore wrong, and will be shown to be so – i.e. crushed by the big EFL publishers

2. the two ideas are not necessarily compatible – use the course book as a recource book instead

Oh, and 3. the view that course/textbooks are becoming more and more comprehensively structured is not accurate

Actually, I’m sure I could think of a couple more, but that’s enough to be starting with, eh, Alex?!

By: Misha

Misha — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:31:26 +0000

Seriously, go to Chegg.com where you can rent textbooks rather than buy them. You’ll save between 65%-85%. Make sure you use this special promo code CC106120. You’ll get an extra 5% off your order. Enough said…

By: selenology

selenology — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:57:59 +0000

I am constitutionally incapable of following textbooks AND cooking recipes. Being in dynamic interaction with learners (or with the ingredients in my kitchen) makes me have all kinds of ideas. These ideas do not come to me when I am planning ahead. They are a product of the teaching/learning environment. They are also ideas that help me to tailor my lessons to the needs and interests of my students. Sure, the results are not predictable; but predictability is very much less important to me than engagement, growth, and fulfilment.