Job Discussion Forums

chola · Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:50 pm Post subject: books/resources

Although I'm not an absolute newbie (sp?), I'll be teaching in another country for the first time this year. This question is adressed to all the experienced teachers out there who feel well-disposed to answering questions from the less-experienced.

If you had to choose only 2 or 3 texts to take with you, what would they be? What other "resources" would you take.

My destination is Mexico.

What is THE most important thing (that is, a concrete, material object, not an anstract, philosophical "thing") ...you have brought with you to teach in another country? Eg. a good dictionary, a block of old cheddar.
Thanks. I'm looking forward to some interesting responses. Shocked

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Practical English Usage, by Michael Swan

go_ABs · Joined: 08 Aug 2004 Posts: 507

Er, I'd take this:

go_ABs · Joined: 08 Aug 2004 Posts: 507

And my laptop.
Oh, and blue tak.
And reliable condoms.

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

^ And a good Swiss Army knife.

It's the only material possession I've managed to keep

in one piece over the past 16 years in TEFL.

From clipping toenails to opening beer bottles ...

Girl Scout · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 525 Location: Inbetween worlds

I agree with go_ABs, it would have to be my laptop. All the resources I ever needed for grammar answers to age specific material can found online. I believe in packing light when moving around. I left my books behind and brought my guitar and flute instead.

grahamb · Joined: 30 Apr 2003 Posts: 1945

There are a couple of threads about this on the General Discussion Forum.
In addition to Swan, books by Jim Scrivener, Scott Thornbury and Jeremy Harmer are popular.