Skip to main content

Part of the book series: International Perspectives on English Language Teaching ((INPELT))

Abstract

Materials in general, and commercial materials in particular, play a central role in language learning and teaching. As Richards (2001: 251) notes ‘Much of the language teaching that occurs throughout the world today could not take place without the extensive use of commercial materials.’ Yet, until relatively recently, this was a neglected area in English Language Teaching (ELT) research and publication. Tomlinson (2012) identifies the early nineties as the decade in which serious attention began to be shown towards materials development. Fortunately, the last few years have seen an increase in this attention with a number of new publications, including Harwood (2010), Tomlinson (2008), Tomlinson and Masuhara (2010a), Tomlinson (2013), as well as new editions of previous publications (McDonough and Shaw, 1993, 2003; McDonough, Shaw and Masuhara, 2013; Tomlinson, 1998, 2011). An important contribution to the field has also come from Tomlinson’s (2012) state-of-the-art review of materials development.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Bell, J. and Gower, R. (2011). Writing course materials for the world: a great compromise. In Tomlinson, B. (ed.), pp. 135–150.

    Google Scholar 

  • Block, D., Gray, J. and Holborow, M. (2012). Neoliberalism and Applied Linguistics. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Canagarajah, S. (1993). Critical ethnography of a Sri Lankan classroom: ambiguities in student reproduction through ESOL. TESOL Quarterly, 27(4): 601–626.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chapelle, A.A. (2009). The spread of computer-assisted language learning. Language Teaching, 43(1): 63–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, M. (1994). The dysfunctions of the theory/practice discourse. TESOL Quarterly, 28(1): 9–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cunningsworth, A. (1995). Choosing your Coursebook. Oxford: Macmillan Heinemann.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edge, J. (ed.) (2006). (Re)locating TESOL in an Age of Empire. London: Palgrave.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edge, J. and Garton, S. (2009). From Knowledge to Experience in ELT. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, R. (2011). Macro- and micro-evaluations of task-based teaching. In Tomlinson, B. (ed.), pp. 212–235.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garton, S., Copland, F. and Burns, A. (2011). Investigating Global Practices in Teaching English for Young Learners: Project Report. British Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilmore, A. (2004). A comparison of textbook and authentic interactions. ELT Journal, 58(4): 363–374.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilmore, A. (2007). Authentic materials and authenticity in foreign language learning. Language Teaching, 40(2): 97–118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gray, J. (2000). The ELT coursebook as cultural artefact. ELT Journal, 54(3): 274–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gray, J. (2010). The Construction of English: Culture, Consumerisim and Promotion in the ELT Global Coursebook. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 1–20.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Gray, J. (2012). Neoliberalism, celebrity and ‘aspirational content’ in English teaching textbooks for the global market. In Block, D., Gray, J. and Holborrow, M. (eds), Neoliberalism and Applied Linguistics. Abingdon: Routledge, pp. 86–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guariento, W. and Morely, J. (2001). Text and task authenticity in the EFL classroom. ELT Journal, 55(4): 347–353.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harwood, N. (ed.) (2010). English Language Teaching Materials: Theory and Practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoque, S. (2009). Teaching English in primary schools in Bangladesh: competencies and achievements. In Enever, J., Moon, J. and Raman, U. (eds), Young Learner English Language Policy and Implementation: International Perspectives. Reading, England: Garnet Education, pp. 61–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu, G. (2005). Contextual influences on instructional practices: a Chinese case for an ecological approach to ELT. TESOL Quarterly, 39(4): 635–660.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, Y. (2007). China’s foreign language policy on primary English education: what’s behind it? Language Policy, 6: 359–376.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hutchinson, T. and Torres, E. (1994). The textbook as agent of change. ELT Journal, 48(4): 315–328.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • İnal, D. (2009). The early bird catches the worm: the Turkish case. In Enever, J., Moon, J. and Raman, U. (eds), Young Learner English Language Policy and Implementation: International Perspectives. Reading, England: Garnet Education, pp. 71–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Islam, C. and Mares, C. (2003). Adapting classroom materials. In Tomlinson, B. (ed.), London: Continuum, pp. 86–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jin, L. and Cortazzi, M. (2006). Changing practices in Chinese cultures of learning. Language, Culture and Curriculum, 19(1): 5–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jolly, D. and Bolitho, R. (2011). A framework for materials writing. In Tomlinson, B. (ed.), pp. 107–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, M. A., Kitetu, C. and Sunderland, J. (1997). Discourse roles, gender and language textbook dialogues: who learns what from John and Sally? Gender and Education, 9(4): 469–490.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kachru, B. B. (1985). Standards, codification and sociolinguistic realism: the English language in the outer circle. In Quirk, R. and Widdowson, H. G. (eds), English in the World: Teaching and Learning the Language and Literatures. Cambridge University Press for The British Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kervin, L. and Derewianka, B. (2011). New technologies to support language learning. In Tomlinson, B. (ed.), pp. 328–356.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, R. N. F. and Bathmaker, A. M. (2007). The use of English textbooks for teaching English to vocational students in Singapore secondary schools: a survey of teachers’ beliefs. RELC Journal, 38(3): 350–374.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Littlejohn, A. (2011). The analysis of language teaching materials: inside the Trojan horse. In Tomlinson B (ed.), pp. 179–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Littlewood, W. (2007). Communicative and task-based language teaching in East Asian classrooms. Language Teaching, 40: 243–249.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macaro, E., Handley, Z. and Walter, C. (2012). A systematic review of CALL in English as a second language: focus on primary and secondary education. Language Teaching, 45(1): 1–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maley, A. (2003). Creative approaches to writing materials. In Tomlinson, B. (ed.), pp. 183–198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maley, A. (2011). Squaring the circle — reconciling materials as constraint with materials as empowerment. In Tomlinson, B. (ed.), pp. 379–402.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mares, C. (2003). Writing a coursebook. In Tomlinson, B. (ed.), pp. 130–140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masuhara, H., Hann, N., Yi, Y. and Tomlinson, B. (2008). Adult EFL courses. ELT Journal, 62(3): 294–312.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masuhara, H. and Tomlinson, B. (2008). Materials for general English. In Tomlinson, B. (ed.), pp. 17–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonough, J. and Shaw, C. (1993). Materials and Methods in ELT, 1st Edition. Oxford: Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonough, J. and Shaw, C. (2003). Materials and Methods in ELT, 2nd Edition. Oxford: Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonough, J., Shaw, C. and Masuhara, H. (2013). Materials and Methods in ELT, 3rd Edition. Oxford: Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGrath, I. (2002). Materials Evaluation and Design for Language Teaching. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGrath, I. (2006). Teachers’ and Learners’ images for coursebooks. ELT Journal, 60(2): 171–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, R. and Lee, J. H. W. (2003). Sameness and difference in classroom learning cultures: interpretations of communicative pedagogy in the UK and Korea. Language Teaching Research, 7(1): 35–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Motteram, G. (2011). Developing language-learning materials with technology. In Tomlinson, B. (ed.), pp. 303–327.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mukundan, J. (2008). Multimedia materials in developing countries: the Malaysian experience. In Tomlinson, B. (ed.), pp. 100–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nation, I. S. P. and Macalister, J. (2010). Language Curriculum Design. New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen, M. T. T. (2011). Learning to communicate in a globalized world: to what extent do school textbooks facilitate the development of intercultural pragmatic competence? RELC Journal, 42(1): 17–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nunan, D. (2003). The impact of English as a global language on educational policies and practices in the Asia-Pacific region. TESOL Quarterly, 37(4): 589–613.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nur, C. (2003). English Language Teaching in Indonesia: changing policies and practical constraints. In Ho, W. K. and Wong, R. Y. L. (eds), English Language Teaching in East Asia Today: Changing Policies and Practices. Singapore: Eastern Universities Press, pp. 163–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Opoku-Amankwa, K. (2010). What happens to textbooks in the classroom? Pupil’s access to literacy in an urban primary school in Ghana. Pedagogy, Culture & Society, 18(2): 159–172.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peacock, M. (1997). The effect of authentic materials on the motivation of EFL learners. ELT Journal, 51(2): 144–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pennycook, A. (1994). The Cultural Politics of English as an International Language. London: Longman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillipson, R. (1992). Linguistic Imperialism. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillipson, R. (2009). Linguistic Imperialism Continued. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prensky, M. (2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. Available at http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/prensky%20%20digital%20natives,%20digital%20immigrants%20%20partl.pdf [Accessed 31/05/13].

  • Prodromou, L. and Mishen, F. (2008). Materials used in Western Europe. In Tomlinson, B. (ed.), pp. 193–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richards, J.C. (2001). Curriculum Development in Language Teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Rubdy, R. (2003). Selection of materials. In Tomlinson, B. (ed.), pp. 37–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sunderland, J. (2000). New understandings of gender and language classroom research: texts, teacher talk and student talk. Language Teaching Research, 4(2): 149–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, M. (2009). Handbook of Research on Web 2.0 and Second Language Learning. New York: IGI Global

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Thornbury, S. (2000). A Dogma for EFL. Available at http://www.thornburyscott.com/tu/Dogma%20article.htm [Accessed 31/05/13].

  • Tomlinson, B. (ed.) (1998). Materials Development in Language Teaching. 1st edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomlinson, B. (ed.) (2003). Developing Materials for Language Teaching. London: Continuum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomlinson, B. (ed.) (2008). English Language Teaching Materials: A Critical Review. London: Continuum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomlinson, B. (2010). Principles of effective materials development. In Harwood, N. (ed.), pp. 81–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomlinson, B. (ed.) (2011). Materials Development in Language Teaching, 2nd Edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomlinson, B. (2012). Materials development for language learning and teaching. Language Teaching, 45(2): 143–179.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tomlinson, B. (ed.) (2013). Applied Linguistics and Materials Development. Bloomsbury.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomlinson, B., Dat, B., Masuhara, H. and Rubdy, R. (2001). EFL courses for adults. ELT Journal, 55(1): 80–101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tomlinson, B. and Masuhara, H. (eds) (2010a). Research for Materials Development in Language Learning. London: Continuum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomlinson, B. and Masuhara, H. (2010b). Published research on materials development for language learning. In Tomlinson, B. and Masuhara, H. (eds), pp. 1–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Willis, J. (2011). Concordances in the classroom without a computer: assembling and exploiting concordances of common words. In Tomlinson, B. (ed.), pp. 51–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yakhontova, T. (2001). Textbooks, contexts and learners. English for Specific Purposes, 20: 397–415.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zacharias, N. T. (2005). Teachers’ beliefs about internationally-published materials: a survey of tertiary English teachers in Indonesia. RELC Journal, 36(1): 23–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Copyright information

© 2014 Sue Garton and Kathleen Graves

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Garton, S., Graves, K. (2014). Materials in ELT: Current Issues. In: Garton, S., Graves, K. (eds) International Perspectives on Materials in ELT. International Perspectives on English Language Teaching. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137023315_1

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics