Chapter 8

This chapter focused on the role materials play in language learning. The materials that the language learners are exposed to serve as their primary exposure to the material. Therefore, the materials that the teacher chooses to use in the classroom has to add content to the course and supplement the teacher's instruction. The chapter then focused on explaining authentic materials versus created materials. Richards also provided guidelines on how to evaluate textbooks and how to adapt them to the classroom so they would be better suited to the language needs of the learners. The remainder of the chapter focused on choosing materials and monitoring the use of materials in the classroom.

One thing I connected with when reading this chapter was how some teachers use materials as the basis for their instruction when materials should be used to supplement instruction, not drive it. With so many packaged curriculums out there we really need to be careful as to how we are using materials in the classroom. Often, textbooks are not appropriate for the students in terms of readability. I have adapted many of my classroom textbooks to better suit the language needs of my students. Also, I think it is important to remember that the materials used should be meaningful to the students and should be something that is not only user-friendly but something that the students can make connections to and draw meaning from.

Another aspect of this chapter that I felt strongly about was the explanation of what "materials" are. Too often, when we talk about materials we talk about what texts or textbooks we are going to use to teach a concept. What I liked in this chapter was that the definition of what materials was much broader than the traditional sense. Too often, teachers get stuck on page numbers and "teaching" a book chronologically from page 1 to the end. However, there so many other things we can share with our students to make their language learning meaningful. The hardest part is taking the time and making the effort to go out there and find those things.

Richards, J. (2001). The role and design of instructional materials. In Curriculum development in language teaching. (pp. 251-285). New York: Cambridge University Press.