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Cool Teacher
Joined: 18 May 2009
Posts: 930
Location: Here, There and Everywhere! :D
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 Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 12:19 pm Post subject: What's the Best Textbook? |
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Okay, so I know this is a broad question of course but do you have a particular favourite textbook? I teach all kinds of sitautions such as business, junior high school, high school, universities, elementary schoos and private groups of students so really anything at all is okay! 
Let me tell you some textbooks I have taught from:
Side by Side - BAD!!  Not enough vocabulary just lots of practice drills.
American Streamline - BAD  and out-of-date!
Cutting Edge - I used a little bit and quite like it but I have no class that needs to use int here in Japan. 
Conversation Gambits - too flimsy! Difficult to make a whole lesson from and then it gets boring:(
Face2Face - Interssintg and a pleasant surprise. I thin kI will use it some more! 
Top Notch - Okay but probably not enough tasks or fun activities. 
Business Venture - meh!
Business Opportunities and Business Objectives- Okay!
Intelligent Business - I liked this it is more taks-based and I think the students get interested in preforming the tasks they almost forget they are learning English and seem to absorb the vocab and grammer. I like it!
So, I have set the ball rolling. Can you roll it some more?!??!  |
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santi84
Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea
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| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 12:26 pm Post subject: |
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I think the Interchange series is pretty decent for a North American ESL audience.
Worst? I can't remember the exact title but it's a bright pink beginner Pagoda text from Korea that I had to use for an immigrant program. It said "this are high heels" or something ridiculous like that. Multiple spelling errors. |
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Cool Teacher
Joined: 18 May 2009
Posts: 930
Location: Here, There and Everywhere! :D
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| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 1:11 pm Post subject: |
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| santi84 wrote: |
I think the Interchange series is pretty decent for a North American ESL audience.
Worst? I can't remember the exact title but it's a bright pink beginner Pagoda text from Korea that I had to use for an immigrant program. It said "this are high heels" or something ridiculous like that. Multiple spelling errors. |
OMG!  Ha ha! 
Sometiems I love the ones with spelling errors because you can get the students to find them if you miss them your self. |
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fluffyhamster
Joined: 13 Mar 2005
Posts: 3292
Location: UK > China > Japan > UK again
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| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 8:10 pm Post subject: |
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| The best textbooks I've seen haven't been for ELT but for the (self-study) of Chinese (via English explanations) - that is, thorough pedagogical grammars, with reams of essential vocabulary, drills etc. Until such time that ELT authors write something detailed enough in L2 regarding English (that could stand in for a teacher in the elementary~pre-intermediate stages), I doubt if any ELT textbook is particularly recommendable in and of itself (or, one might as well use practice grammars such as Murphy). That being said, I quite like conversationally-oriented books that keep texts and/or lessons to under a page or two e.g. Interchange, much of the New Cambridge English Course, Side by Side. |
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Denim-Maniac
Joined: 31 Jan 2012
Posts: 1238
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| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 8:30 pm Post subject: |
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| I also think face2face is wonderful. Its my main resource and I have student book, teachers book and MP3s for pre-int, int, upper-int and advanced. The advanced isnt very good (listening tasks are waaaay too long for example) but the rest of it is very good IMO. |
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Cool Teacher
Joined: 18 May 2009
Posts: 930
Location: Here, There and Everywhere! :D
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| Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 6:34 am Post subject: |
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Oh I have never used Interchange but that seems popular. That is by Jack Ricahrds and he has a new type of book called "Four Corners". Does anyone know what it is like?
Also, I saw a very new one called English Unlimited? Is it any good?
Thanks!
And thanks for the good input everyone! |
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JN
Joined: 17 Jan 2008
Posts: 214
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| Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 6:26 pm Post subject: |
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I've used English Unlimited B1 a couple of times for one-on-one's. It seemed to be okay. One of my students preferred conversation mostly on topics from her own life, but she did like the grammar section at the back. The other student liked the book, but sometimes there was too much of the same topic, so we moved on to the next topic in the book. I'd use the book again.
I am currently using Lifestyle Pre-Intermediate. I like it since it is partially business, but not completely. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 11:19 pm Post subject: |
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It would seem that you are looking for a textbook for conversation style classes, right? Not reading or writing skills, or even business English or presentation skills.
It really depends on the age and nationality of the students. I haven't used a textbook in over a decade. Never really found any that was all that great. Closest was the Touchstone series, but that was only because it had such a great teacher support manual. |
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HLJHLJ
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 1218
Location: Ecuador
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| Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 1:39 am Post subject: |
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I found Face2Face OK, but the format got very repetitive. I guess that will always be an issue if you have to stick to a coursebook though.
I also used one called NorthStar with higher levels. The textbook itself wasn't that great, in as much as a lot of the questions and exercises were very poorly done, but I found it very useful as a materials resource. |
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Cool Teacher
Joined: 18 May 2009
Posts: 930
Location: Here, There and Everywhere! :D
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| Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 3:21 am Post subject: |
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| JN wrote: |
I've used English Unlimited B1 a couple of times for one-on-one's. It seemed to be okay. One of my students preferred conversation mostly on topics from her own life, but she did like the grammar section at the back. The other student liked the book, but sometimes there was too much of the same topic, so we moved on to the next topic in the book. I'd use the book again.
I am currently using Lifestyle Pre-Intermediate. I like it since it is partially business, but not completely. |
So too much on the same topic? Hmmm...thanks.
Thanks. I'll look at Lifestyle! |
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Cool Teacher
Joined: 18 May 2009
Posts: 930
Location: Here, There and Everywhere! :D
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| Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 3:30 am Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
It would seem that you are looking for a textbook for conversation style classes, right? Not reading or writing skills, or even business English or presentation skills.
It really depends on the age and nationality of the students. I haven't used a textbook in over a decade. Never really found any that was all that great. Closest was the Touchstone series, but that was only because it had such a great teacher support manual. |
Yeah, conversation. It's in Japan. I suppsoe the group I want one for most is adults. One of the porblems I have is that sometimes the topics are the same again and again. Usually things such as holidays, food, shopping, work. I also think that sometiems the books go so far out of their way to avoid anything juicy in case it upsets people so we don't even talk about news, poliitcs and global issues. I think it would be nice to see some of those things in the books. 
You must have to do a lot of work if you use no textbook! |
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Cool Teacher
Joined: 18 May 2009
Posts: 930
Location: Here, There and Everywhere! :D
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| Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 3:31 am Post subject: |
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| HLJHLJ wrote: |
I found Face2Face OK, but the format got very repetitive. I guess that will always be an issue if you have to stick to a coursebook though.
I also used one called NorthStar with higher levels. The textbook itself wasn't that great, in as much as a lot of the questions and exercises were very poorly done, but I found it very useful as a materials resource. |
Ah, yes, I think it is true that maybe it is repetative. I usually use about half the lesson without textbook and half wiih and try to laed the converatino topic to the one in the book. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 4:30 am Post subject: |
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| Cool Teacher wrote: |
| Yeah, conversation. It's in Japan. |
which is where I live, but just saying "Japan" doesn't automatically preclude reading or writing, which is why I asked.
| Quote: |
| I suppose the group I want one for most is adults. |
That is not what you said initially, so it led people astray in helping you.
| Quote: |
| One of the porblems I have is that sometimes the topics are the same again and again. Usually things such as holidays, food, shopping, work. I also think that sometiems the books go so far out of their way to avoid anything juicy in case it upsets people so we don't even talk about news, poliitcs and global issues. I think it would be nice to see some of those things in the books. |
try other publishers, like Nanundo, but I agree that in general topics are very similar. This is one reason I end up creating stuff on my own. You also need to find things suitable for their interests. If they want sightseeing stuff, business situations, etc., dig! They cover a big area, and books nowadays only touch briefly on topics, probably because they cater to a wide market with general interests.
As for politics and other news, a lot goes out of date so quickly, publishers can't keep up. Many books still show Madonna!
As for "juicy" topics, you aren't going to find too many youngsters able to express any views on them anyway, and they are IMO the major targets for most textbooks. Some adults will also find it hard to deal with touchy topics, too. What did you want as a few examples?
| Quote: |
| You must have to do a lot of work if you use no textbook! |
Yup! Even with a textbook, though, I was busy supplementing because the books were insufficient in so many ways. |
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Cool Teacher
Joined: 18 May 2009
Posts: 930
Location: Here, There and Everywhere! :D
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| Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 7:23 am Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
| Cool Teacher wrote: |
| Yeah, conversation. It's in Japan. |
which is where I live, but just saying "Japan" doesn't automatically preclude reading or writing, which is why I asked.
| Quote: |
| I suppose the group I want one for most is adults. |
That is not what you said initially, so it led people astray in helping you. |
 No, you asked a few questions about:
a) what I want it for
b) nationality
c) age.
I already said I teach lots of groups so I thought you meant whcih age group in paricular do I really really want a book for so I said, "I suppose adults". I wasn't misleading. I am happy for ANY suggestions!
When I said "Yeah, conversation. It's in Japan." They were answes to TWO DIFFERENT points you made:
Glenski: "It would seem that you are looking for a textbook for conversation style classes, right? Not reading or writing skills, or even business English or presentation skills."
That was point one, so I said "Yeah, conversation"
Then:
Glenski: " It really depends on the age and nationality of the students."
So, I said "It's in Japan." That was point two.
Then I also said, because it seems you were interested, that if you want to give a specific age group then "I suppose adults"
But may I repeat:
I know this is a broad question of course but do you have a particular favourite textbook? I teach all kinds of sitautions such as business, junior high school, high school, universities, elementary schoos and private groups of students so really anything at all is okay!
| Quote: |
| One of the porblems I have is that sometimes the topics are the same again and again. Usually things such as holidays, food, shopping, work. I also think that sometiems the books go so far out of their way to avoid anything juicy in case it upsets people so we don't even talk about news, poliitcs and global issues. I think it would be nice to see some of those things in the books. |
try other publishers, like Nanundo, but I agree that in general topics are very similar. This is one reason I end up creating stuff on my own. You also need to find things suitable for their interests. If they want sightseeing stuff, business situations, etc., dig! They cover a big area, and books nowadays only touch briefly on topics, probably because they cater to a wide market with general interests.
As for politics and other news, a lot goes out of date so quickly, publishers can't keep up. Many books still show Madonna!
As for "juicy" topics, you aren't going to find too many youngsters able to express any views on them anyway, and they are IMO the major targets for most textbooks. Some adults will also find it hard to deal with touchy topics, too. What did you want as a few examples?
| Quote: |
| You must have to do a lot of work if you use no textbook! |
Yup! Even with a textbook, though, I was busy supplementing because the books were insufficient in so many ways.[/quote]
But thanks for your hepl. I agree that politics goes out of date and so do mnay celebrities. How embarrassing for thsoe textbooks with Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong in them!
I sometimes use the Internet for materials. Sometimes there is good stuff there. MES English is really good for kids flashcards. I really recommend it and also the Intelligent Business hing is good becaues it has latest issues of the Economist.
Here, please have a look. What do you think?
http://www.pearsonlongman.com/intelligent_business/teachers_resource.html
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Cool Teacher
Joined: 18 May 2009
Posts: 930
Location: Here, There and Everywhere! :D
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| Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 7:24 am Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
| Cool Teacher wrote: |
| Yeah, conversation. It's in Japan. |
which is where I live, but just saying "Japan" doesn't automatically preclude reading or writing, which is why I asked.
| Quote: |
| I suppose the group I want one for most is adults. |
That is not what you said initially, so it led people astray in helping you. |
No, you asked a few questions about:
a) what I want it for
b) nationality
c) age.
I already said I teach lots of groups so I thought you meant whcih age group in paricular do I really really want a book for so I said, "I suppose adults". I wasn't misleading. I am happy for ANY suggestions!
When I said "Yeah, conversation. It's in Japan." They were answes to TWO DIFFERENT points you made:
Glenski: "It would seem that you are looking for a textbook for conversation style classes, right? Not reading or writing skills, or even business English or presentation skills."
That was point one, so I said "Yeah, conversation"
Then:
Glenski: " It really depends on the age and nationality of the students."
So, I said "It's in Japan." That was point two.
Then I also said, because it seems you were interested, that if you want to give a specific age group then "I suppose adults"
But may I repeat:
I know this is a broad question of course but do you have a particular favourite textbook? I teach all kinds of sitautions such as business, junior high school, high school, universities, elementary schoos and private groups of students so really anything at all is okay!
| Quote: |
| One of the porblems I have is that sometimes the topics are the same again and again. Usually things such as holidays, food, shopping, work. I also think that sometiems the books go so far out of their way to avoid anything juicy in case it upsets people so we don't even talk about news, poliitcs and global issues. I think it would be nice to see some of those things in the books. |
try other publishers, like Nanundo, but I agree that in general topics are very similar. This is one reason I end up creating stuff on my own. You also need to find things suitable for their interests. If they want sightseeing stuff, business situations, etc., dig! They cover a big area, and books nowadays only touch briefly on topics, probably because they cater to a wide market with general interests.
As for politics and other news, a lot goes out of date so quickly, publishers can't keep up. Many books still show Madonna!
As for "juicy" topics, you aren't going to find too many youngsters able to express any views on them anyway, and they are IMO the major targets for most textbooks. Some adults will also find it hard to deal with touchy topics, too. What did you want as a few examples?
| Quote: |
| You must have to do a lot of work if you use no textbook! |
Yup! Even with a textbook, though, I was busy supplementing because the books were insufficient in so many ways.[/quote]
But thanks for your hepl. I agree that politics goes out of date and so do mnay celebrities. How embarrassing for thsoe textbooks with Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong in them!
I sometimes use the Internet for materials. Sometimes there is good stuff there. MES English is really good for kids flashcards. I really recommend it and also the Intelligent Business hing is good becaues it has latest issues of the Economist.
Here, please have a look. What do you think?
http://www.pearsonlongman.com/intelligent_business/teachers_resource.html
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