Job Discussion Forums

go_ABs · Joined: 08 Aug 2004 Posts: 507

Hi,

I'm considering putting together an e-book full of games and activities designed for the ESL classroom.

It's basically a compilation of stuff you could already find on the internet - IF you looked hard enough and for long enough. What I've done is weed out the bad games and present the good ones in an easy-to-read format, along with possible variations and recommendations. Also included are related websites and places to find helpful information about teaching ESL.

It's only a thought at the moment, so my question to you is this: would you buy one?

Let's assume 150 games/activities for various levels and ages, say US$15-20?

What do you think? Sound interesting?

Thanks for your feedback!

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

Just out of curiosity, how would you decide what a bad game/good game is?

I probably wouldn't buy such a workbook (sorry!), for two reasons:

1) if the information is already on the internet, I could find it on my own
2) I've used a number of different activity books, and almost without fail I have to adapt the games/drop certain activities/grossly simplify the rules to get them to work in my classes. (I don't think theres' a "one size fits all" game that would work in every context.) It's frustrating at times, sometimes so much so that it's easier to just make up my own games.

d

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I bet that most people who use this forum regularly will not buy that kind of book for many of the reasons Denise listed. Many of us can search ourselves or know enough activities that we wouldn't need it. You are targeting newbies so that is who you should market and many/most of us are not new to this field.

I for one would not buy an activity book, however, I might have 8-10 years ago when I was starting out.

One drawback I see is that the web changes so quickly that by the time your book goes to print, many of your sites will be obsolete or be replaced by better ones.

What in your opinion is a good or bad site?

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

I think that there are so many good language activity books out there now that your book would have to have some kind of new angle for anyone to be interested. Would it be special in some way?

matthews_world · Guest

Could be used as a resource, especially for newbies or those who need new ideas.

I'd check into it.

Especially if there were professionally created materials and worksheets to go along.