“Art is not a thing; it is a way”.Elbert Green Hubbard
Some time ago, in an English class from the English teaching major, a teacher asked to me and my classmates what materials were and how they could be developed and evaluated. At that time, we were not teaching; therefore, we did not know what to say. Even though he tried to explain to us, we still did not have a clear idea. Then, I started teaching and consequently I had to use a great variety of English teaching materials. From that experience and from what I have studied in the Material Development course in the Master’s program: Second Language and Culture at the Universidad Nacional, I understood that materials are anything used in order to get effective learning by increasing the learners’ knowledge and helping them to accomplish communicative competence. However, not any type of material can be used in any context. Teachers should ask themselves whether materials are correctly adopted, adapted, developed and used; and whether they are accomplishing the stated objectives in the class.
Therefore, when teachers want to use specific materials, it is their responsibility to take some time to evaluate them. Actually, when teachers are designing their own materials, they have to consider the students´ language level, interests, and context. Indeed, there are some principles of ESL learning and material development that teachers have to know. For example, materials must achieve impact, help learners feel at ease, create motivation and positive attitude and feelings, break the routine, promote cultural sensitivity, among others.
Accordingly, choosing materials is a careful procedure in order to provide students with useful materials and consequently with a meaningful English teaching/learning process.
Therefore, when teachers want to use specific materials, it is their responsibility to take some time to evaluate them. Actually, when teachers are designing their own materials, they have to consider the students´ language level, interests, and context. Indeed, there are some principles of ESL learning and material development that teachers have to know. For example, materials must achieve impact, help learners feel at ease, create motivation and positive attitude and feelings, break the routine, promote cultural sensitivity, among others.
Accordingly, choosing materials is a careful procedure in order to provide students with useful materials and consequently with a meaningful English teaching/learning process.
Your observation about material development is very accurate. It is wonderful that you discovered it through your teaching process since it makes you a remarkable educator. However, there are many teachers who are not aware of this information. Unfortunately, those teachers are affecting students’ learning process instead of creating a positive attitude toward learning.
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