Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Hyeon In]

There are a few old threads on this topic, but a few new series have been released over the last few years.

What's everyone's favorite (or least-hated) of the major EFL text book series.

I'm currently using Backpack and Take Shape. They're OK but not perfect. Backpack has too much time wasting in the lower levels and too much reading in the higher levels. Take Shape is still new to me so I'm not sure about it yet.

I've used Exploring English for middle school and above too, which is quite fun but looks dated.

[YTMND]

I agree with the Backpack series, though I do like it. The best one out I found is Let's Go books 1, 2, and 3. After that, students should be doing things out of the book unless they are in 3rd grade or younger and have difficulty expressing themselves.

Since the better students will almost always finish lessons earlier, I add to those lessons and have class notes to fall back on. If you want them, I can give you an online link. Email me at [email protected] or just message me here.

[fezmond]

when i was doing kindy we used 'Hip Hip Hooray' which was alright for the most part.

the higher levels were used for elementary students too. they picked up a lot of useful stuff but then you'd come across completely useless phrases they were meant to learn and use.

[soomin]

Ooh~ I like Take Shape and Hip Hip Hooray and Let's Go, too!

for making sentences, I like the Speaking Tutor Series

for listening, the Listening Juice series starts off okay, but gets really hard, really fast. (not to be confused with Listening Juice Jump, those are too hard for younger students, and too easy for older students, imho)

for advanced students, (listening and writing) I love the Speaking Juice series... (except for this one time where the topic was "drinking your own urine"... that was weird)

[sallymonster]

English Time.

[some waygug-in]

I never relied on just one textbook but always brought in other stuff to make the lessons more complete.

I liked the books mentioned, especially Let's Go and English Time.

Don't be afraid of reading, it's far more useful than you think.

[Weigookin74]

Whatever books you use, would they depend on the level you teach and also what extra activities would you use? I assume most hakwons don't use computers and TV's in the classroom, though there are a few that may.