Job Discussion Forums

[BrilloPad]

on TESL, which would it be and why? Name some of your favorites or those that you consider essential, or those that you had in a course.

[Peter]

1. New Person to person. Oxford Uni press
2 English Vocabulary in use. Cambridge Uni press
3 Murphy's grammar

NPtoP is purely communicative, the other two can be used for specific point support, they come in different levels

Added to that:www.english-to-go.com for ready made lessons

[leeroy]

Personally, I like Cutting Edge and Inside Out. The topics are interesting(ish), and the layout is friendly. Anything but Headway!

[Albulbul]

"English Idioms" first edition by McMordie 1909. New edition by Jennifer Seidl sometime in the 1980's. Better than all that postmodern drivel.

Or Thomson and Martinet "Practical English Grammar"

Or Murphy's Grammars

[TokyoLiz]

Cutting Edge is my favorite for ESL. If only there was a North American version...

For EFL, American Headway and New Interchange.

Don't forget a reference book for yourself! The Transitive Vampire (it's a grammar with silly gothic examples) and The Practice of English Language Teaching by Jeremy Harmer.

Whoops, that's more than one, isn't it?

[some waygug-in]

Hey? What's wrong with "Headway"??? Especially the new American version. Compaired to other books I've used, I really like using Headway. I just wish I could use it more often. Here in Korea, they don't seem to like it because there are too many grammar exercises, so they tend to favor courses like Interchange. But the grammar is exactly why I like it. Most of the students here claim that they have studied grammar for years, but they can't make a sentence. Despite what they say, they really do need to continue with grammar. I like headway because at least then the grammar is related to the reading, the listening, the articles and the class discussions. Sure, it can get boring at times, but that's where a creative teacher would bring in other materials.
Just my thoughts
Some waygug-in

[Ann]

Can you Believe it? by Jan Huiezenga (?) OUP
Excellent resource for my high-intermediate students. It is an excellent way to learn idioms. My students have so much fun with it, and so do I.

[jen]

All this talk about Headway is making me cringe. Regarding the UI text - all I can say is GRAMMAR EXPLOSION.

YEah, Interchange is cool, though I prefer Cutting Edge, ad don't really mind the 'Britishness' of it, except some of the vocab, ie bin, dressing gown. But the grammar is great, and it's really interesting and well laid out.
Has anyone tried Canadian Concepts from Longman? For those Canadiana buffs, this is a great book, chock full of culture BUT [big but] the grammar is atrocious. Fill in these blanks. Now fill in these blanks. Now fil in...

As for a grammar bible, I swear by Michael Swan's Practical English Usage. I am so shocked I've not seen this in anyone else's post.

[Paul G]

Chartbook - A Reference Grammar, Betty Shampfer Azar.

Although this book should probably only be used with upper intermediate and better students, it is an invaluable reference for teachers and has explanations and examples that can be used to teach almost any level of student.

[Joachim]

The Cambridge Worldwide series for intermediate students and the Primary Colours series for children.

And always have an Oxford Wordpower dictionary (or three) handy.

[khmerhit]

the Grammar Hammer

[dmb]

What is Paol G's avatar? It has been blocked by Qatar Internet. Is this the reason there is a weird layout here?

[dmb]

oops I forgot. 'A course in Language teaching 'Penny Ure. A basis for teacher training courses.

[gugelhupf]

[Capergirl]