Selecting and Developing Teaching/Learning Materials in EFL classes

• Main Authors: Marsela HARIZAJ, Veneranda HAJRULLA
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universitatea "Stefan cel Mare" Suceava 2018-12-01
• Series: Annals of Philosophy, Social and Human Disciplines
• Subjects: : classroom materials; interactive activities; teaching/learning process.
• Online Access: http://www.fig.usv.ro/socio-umane/arhiva/2018II/APSHUSDec2018_59_66.pdf
• ISSN: 2069-4008; 2069-4016

Materials’ development in EFL classes is a continuous concern of teachers. Teaching components include explanation, questioning and feedback. However, without a good textbook and suitable teaching material, even an experienced teacher will not have a great success. “Materials should teach students to learn, they should be resource books for ideas and activities for instruction/learning, and they should give teachers rationales for what they do.” Language teaching has important elements like students, methods, strategies and techniques. Why are teaching materials important in EFL classes? What is the role of materials in language learning? What is a good English textbook? How can we select materials according to student’s age and language level? Can teachers and novice ones manage their time to use supplementary materials? It is true that the text is the base of teaching / learning processes, but in some cases, teachers should differentiate materials and activities for the sake of learning. If your students feel bored, not motivated, creating interactive activities based on additional materials will lower the barriers of learning. Curriculum is adapted to student’s goals in centered classes. It is the teacher’s concern to monitor the learning process and to adapt materials, textbook, activities and methodology to student’s needs if they are not. With materials it is understood every teaching/learning sources used in class like textbooks, audio visual, ITC. In this paper, we will consider some important elements in how, what and why to choose materials concerning effective teaching/learning in EFL context.