Job Discussion Forums

locagrl814 · Joined: 04 Jun 2003 Posts: 58

Can you guys recommend any good TEFL book? Thanks!

Sherri · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2003 1:39 am Post subject:

What kind of TEFL book do you mean? For example do you want something that explains the basics of teaching, grammar or something on finding work? Do you mean a textbook for students? There are so many different books out there on various topics related to TEFL, the more specific you can be the better the recommendations will be for you.

locagrl814 · Joined: 04 Jun 2003 Posts: 58

I want books about teaching methods. Thanks.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

I dont think there is one definitive book you can refer to as there are whole books writtenon teaching reading, listening, communicative techniques, pronunication. If you are a raw beginner just starting teaching I would probably recommend a couple of teaching resources which give you a basic introduction to teaching. For a complete list I would recommend you consult the Ozford University Press website which has a whoe range of texts for teachers. http://www.oupjapan.co.jp

To name just a few:

Teaching English as an International Language (Sandra Lee Mackay)
Teaching English Overseas an Introduction S.L Mackay. OUP

(deals more with sociocultural issues, economic factors which influence language learning situation when living overseas etc)

techniques and Principles in language Learning (Diane Larsen Freeman) OUP

I think there is a good book by H.Douglas Brown which teaches some basic methodolgy for beginning teachers.

Many of these books are in the teaching section of large book stores such as Maruzen, kinokuniya etc.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Resources for teachers

http://www.oupjapan.co.jp/store/oupjapan?vgform=BrowseCategory&category_id=440&sort_1_name=Weight&sort_1_direction=DESC&sort_2_name=ProductName&sort_2_direction=ASC&language=en

locagrl814 · Joined: 04 Jun 2003 Posts: 58

Thanks Paulh! I appreciate it.

Does anyone know if Noam Chomsky has ever written a book about TEFL?

Which books would you recommend from Amazon.com?

Sherri · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2003 4:31 am Post subject:

I agree with Paul, there is no one book and it does depend on how much actual experiece you have and what you want out of the book.

Here are some that I like (some overlap with Paul!) in no particular order:

Principles of Language Learning and Teaching, HD Brown, Longman

Teaching by Principles, HD Brown, Longman

Reflective Teaching in Second Language Classrooms, Richards and Lockhart, CUP

Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching, Richards and Rodgers, CUP

Hope these help you out.

locagrl814 · Joined: 04 Jun 2003 Posts: 58

Thanks Sherri! I'm just a beginner. I took the job in Japan because I want to experience what it's like to teach English as a second language. After two years, I plan on taking my Master's in Linguistics. At this point, I feel like I don't know much about TESL.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Locagrl

Chomsky is a mathematician by training but he has done some studies on the theories of grammar and how people construct sentences and grammar inside their head when they learn foreign languages etc.

Pretty theoretical stuff which will give you some background on how languages are constructed but i think It wont be of much direct use when teaching a class. I would concentrate on more practical applications such as communicative teaching method, the direct method, the Silent method, listening approaches etc. students here mainly need listening and speaking practice and most importantly CONFIDENCE. After 6 years of English mots Japanese have connvinced themselves they can not speak languages or learn english. When you consider that 100% of Japanese have learnt how to fluently speak a language (their own- Japanese) they have a language learning facility and this does not hold water. All you are doing is getting them to do is replace one set of phonological symbols (Kanji and Japanese words) with their English equivalents. FWIW I have two children born and raised in japan, the 4 year old speaks fluent Japanese for his age without cracking open a textbook so I know for a fact it is possible.

PS the teaching we do over here is EFL or English as a Foreign Language. Students do not use English in their daily lives outside the classroom and the only time they may speak English is in the language classroom. Lots of EFL and ESL (English as a second Language methods are interrelated but the main difference is WHERE the instruction takes place. there is a big difference between teaching a class of 20 high school students with a common language such as in Japan, compared to a group of immigrants of different ages and levels in a language class in the states, for example.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

I forgot to mention that Oxford is an international publisher with offices in the US and the US. You can also try MacMillan. Longman and Heinle also have teacher resources as well.

If you go to Amazon type in the author name, title or "Teacher education" and you should be able to get the links you need

locagrl814 · Joined: 04 Jun 2003 Posts: 58

I believe Noam Chomsky studied Mathematics, Philosophy and Linguistics at UPenn. He also did graduate work in Linguistics. He's now the chair of Modern Languages and Linguistics at MIT. When I was still in college, my professor said that Chomsky transformed the field of Linguistics. Since I read some of his books about politics (anarchism and socialism), I became curious about Noam and Linguistics.

As PAULH mentioned, it's pretty theoretical stuff and it probably wouldn't help me much in the classroom. I know I really need to read books about teaching methods, but I just can't seem to get rid of this curiosity about Chomsky and his theories.

Thanks guys for all your help! Sherri, I'm glad you posted that new topic about teaching methodology!

Paulh, were you the one who mentioned that you took your Master's at Temple University? Is that the one that has a school in Japan?

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

locagrl814 · Joined: 04 Jun 2003 Posts: 58

PAULH, how did you like the Master's program at Temple U.?

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

I have sent you a mail but you can also read about the Temple program in an article I wrote

http://www.teachinginjapan.com/continuinged.html

fion · Joined: 03 Feb 2003 Posts: 69 Location: tokyo

For your first year's teaching, you could do worse than stick to Headway right through. It's reasonable for most students (unless they have very specialized needs) and also gives the new teacher a decent grounding in both grammar and teaching methods. After a year using Headway, you pretty much know the basics and then maybe it's time enough to start integratingChomsky and the theoretical stuff. Let's remember teachingis a practical skill. (So is typing, but sorry this is a duff keyboard)
Fion