Job Discussion Forums

[FrenchLieutenant'sWoman]

First post so please be gentle with me!

I've just started teaching ESL to adults, having previously taught children, and I need a bit of advice on course books. I've been told to submit a list of recommendations for course books and I may get the money to buy them. Or I may not, but I need to do the research anyway so rather than trawl through the myriad of books in the market I thought I'd apply to you clever lot for advice and benefit from your collective experience.

I've used stuff from English File and Headway in the past and realise they have their advantages and disadvantages. I found I could get more out of the Headway material but English File had more suggestions for activities that went down well with the students (plus all the extra web based stuff) and would be happy with either style.

The criteria are:

General English
Preferably with an audio CD included
A course which covers A1-B2 on the European cadre
Usable with ages 16-60
Suitable for preaparing an exam similar to the TOEIC, although I do have a specialist book for that already, but with an additional oral component (quite a specialised subject)

They don't need to have separate student books so if there's one that you think has a fabulous teacher edition but the student book isn't worth buying please tell me anyway!

TIA!

[Sashadroogie]

Cutting Edge

Inside Out

However, I'd be reluctant to recommend any course books for 16-year-olds. I never seem to be able to pick one that works - even English in Mind. In fact I think grouping 16-year-olds with adults may not yield the best results in your course book search.

[FrenchLieutenant'sWoman]

Unfortunately the classes I have to teach are mixed age (and the 16 year olds are often the most advanced having studied at school relatively recently) so I was trying to find something that appealed to everyone. Clearly not possible! Ah well...worth a try.

Do I just say 'hang the 16yos' and get a course book the adults will like? They all actually want to be there so will probably work from anything.

So best bets for adults?!

[Sashadroogie]

Mixed age groups? I don't envy you. Usually considered a total no-no. But if that's the situation you're in, I'd suggest English File. I think it's the most likely to appeal to the greatest age range you have. Cutting Edge or Headway would be too 'heavy' for the teenies, I'd predict.

Do you at least have a majority of adults? If so, they'd probably raise the overall maturity level of the teens and so make it possible to use any adulty books.

[FrenchLieutenant'sWoman]

I was slightly when they told me that's what I was getting but it's not an organisation I get to argue with. Unforunately. Thank you for your advice. It's very much appreciated.

I have a nearly beginner class that are mostly in their late 30s/early 40s, a 'solid' A2 class that are 25-50 and a B1 class that causes me most problems as the youngest is 18, then there are a few in their twenties, lots in their thirties and a couple in their forties - but the ones in their forties are the 'important' people to keep happy. Then a youngish (oldest is late twenties) B2/C1 class who are quite easy to teach because a) they remember learning English at school, b) they're eager to do well to impress their superiors and c) I get on well with them as people which makes teaching/conversations/finding topics easier.

I don't have any 16 year olds right now but that's the youngest possible age and they'd be in the most advanced group as they'd rank very low in terms of importance but their existing skills in English are worth investing in.

I could 'recommend' that we get 2 separate courses, but I don't think they'll go for it and I'll still have mixed-age classes until they listen to me, but that won't be until September at least and I need to get results with this setup.

[Sashadroogie]

Ah OK. That doesn't sound so bad. 18 is as good as adult, though not particularly mature. At least they'll abide by the usual social norms of adults. World of difference from 16.

Extra point: for beginners groups I usually use Cutting Edge Starter. I think it is the most effective course book out there right now. Has all the photocopiable materials you'd expect from Cutting Edge. Plus, it covers a lot of structure/tenses, e.g. Past simple, which others like Headstart don't. All students that I have used it with have coped fairly well with it and made more progress faster. At least, my tuppence worth.

Best of luck to you.