Monday, February 04, 2008

Textbook Trauma

Well, here it is, only February, and I’m already thinking about what textbooks to use in September. The worst part about picking out textbooks is trying to figure out the exact level of textbooks to match the level of the students in EAP 3. If the textbooks are too easy, they won’t prepare the students for university. However, if the textbooks are too hard, then the students won’t learn anything because they will be struggling too much with the material. There’s that, but then there’s also the fact that there seem like millions of different textbooks available. Some are good at one thing, but others are good at other things. The problem is that none of the textbooks seem to be good at everything.

I guess my dream textbooks would be textbooks that covered everything that we need to cover in class, had lots of Canadian content, and weren’t too expensive for the students. Having just those three criteria, however, still doesn’t help me because I don’t think there are any textbooks that fulfill all three of those requirements. s i g h . . . what to do . . . .

Anyway, this is turning out to be a really boring post all about textbooks. I wonder what my students think of as the ideal textbooks . . .

8 comments:

Hadline said...

hello scott
I would like a textbook with lots of pictures of the other parts of the world, with an easy approach of the grammar, with themes that I can relate to, with more strategies and tips for the reading and with samples of good essays for the writing book.

Jason said...

I think textbooks are not important as students themselves. I remember the English textbooks I used when I was in high school. They sucks, especially grammar. The combination of Reading and writing is the best way to learn grammar. First of all, you need to know basis grammar, and you can read newspapers, magazines and books and write blogs, emails and love-letters. The more you read and write, the better you use. Grammar practice like filling blank and circling errors does not help us on writing essays. I can put right answers in Grammar test, but I may still make the grammar mistakes which I got right in the test on my essays. Doing grammar exercises is a story, and writing essays is another story. I love Penguin books which are designed for English learners. They are base on famous books and made easier to read. If you read 4-5 books this semester, and you will learn a lot from that. That's right, learn a lot from simple things. Who thinks of teaching English by using libraries materials and creativity instead of textbooks? I'm JUST joking.

We will,we will rock U!! said...

not expensive for students? I don't think so. A lots of supplementary materials will be stuffed into those textbooks, and those are we should pay without discussion. Besides, course packs are also one thing that demands students to pay a lot...!!

When it comes to my blog, I like to write that way, for I always wrote my other blogs that way before, and I think it's easier and clearer for others to read, isn't it?

Additionally, How come I got "A" and "A+" in EAP II Essay writing, but only 50% in my EAP III Essay Writing?? I'm extremely confused....

Nahid said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Happy New Year!

Helen said...

Hey!!
I am sorry Scott.... After I had asked you some questions,I took your outline on Friday.....When I am at home now, I realize it.....
I am thinking that why it is not a grammar quize paper......HOHO~~~~
By the way, your outline is so perfect... I have to give you A+++
Just kiding...
Anyway, I will return it.
have a good weekend!!!!!

anna said...

You promised to write your own textbook about articles. How soon we will enjoy it?

Amin said...

Hi,
I just wanted to thank you about paying this much attention and putting this much energy. It is really impressive that you read everybody’s blogs and write comments.