TEACHING MATERIALS
What is it?
Teaching materials are a key component in most language programs. Whether the teacher uses a textbook, institutionally prepared materials, or his or her own materials, instructional materials generally serve as the basis for much of the language input learners receive and the language practice that occurs in the classroom. In the case of inexperienced teachers, materials may also serve as a form of teacher training (McGrath, 2013).
Importance
Language teaching materials, especially foreign language teaching materials, are important because they facilitate the direct association between sounds and their symbols as well as words and their associated objects. By using aids, interference and translation problems are reduced to a minimum. Moreover, they assist the teacher in improving the quality of his teaching by vividly illustrating the meaning of entities.
What is its purpose?
provide knowledge about other cultures
teach new skills and strategies that our learners really need
Provides a variety of experience in terms of texts
support and guide both the students and teacher, and provide structure and progression
make the students feel that they are having a properly planned class
arouse our learnners' interest
guide learners to be more autonomous
Classification
Visual
Audio - visual
Pictorial Materials
Non-projected materials
Physical material: books, apparatus, objects
Mobile materials
Projected Materials
Audio
Records and record players
Tapes and tape recorders
Language laboratories
Radio
Sound-stripe projector
Television
Video-tape recorder
Teaching Material Activities
Vocabulary Chart
This helps the teacher to help learners learn new vocabulary word.
Pocket Chart
Each pocket has a smiley or a sad face, students must find smiley faces to get points throughout a class.
Interactive Posters
It allows students to find correct answers and to interact with the material.
Reading and Writing activities
It helps to monitor students' learning
Online Resources
InsertLearning saves teachers and students time while keeping students engaged. Teachers can insert questions, discussions, and insight directly into any website. When students go to that website, they can respond to those questions and discussions, see that insight, and take their own notes.
According to Azikwe (2007), there are three broad types of grouping of instructional materials:
C2