Preparation of Unit Work - Essay Example

During a school inspection, it was found that the teachers tend to rely more on course books and other commercial materials, and take little or no initiative at all to make the course more interesting and appropriate with creativity and zeal. This "coursebook-led" approach makes teaching as well as learning a lack-luster, cumbersome exercise. It has been said that we learn 20% of what we hear, 50% of what we see and 80% of what we do. Therefore, mixing course book with practical work by using creative audio visual methods including discussion in pairs and groups is easily a better option as compared to just course book teaching.

Besides language, speaking skills involve voice control, overcoming nervousness, and the art of listening, all of which must be properly taught and ingrained in the students' minds. It is not possible to effectively cover all of these in a rigid follow through of a course book. (How To Write and Speak Better)2. Now this situation leads to a ticklish issue. What is a course book Rather, what is the function of a course book A course book is a resource, a medium. The function of teaching materials including course books is to provide information.

It is a resource or a medium to be used for guidance and instruction. When a class is being led by the medium, it is obvious that the medium is assuming the role of a leader. Obviously, a medium cannot, by any stretch of imagination, assume the human role of leadership. Furthermore, it is equally preposterous to think it all right for the teacher to simply go through the daily chore of covering a lesson each day and by the time the entire book is covered, to take it for granted that the students have mastered ESL.

This method is not adequate in learning a language where participation and expression are as mandatory as grammar and vocabulary. The Coursebook-based approach The ideal approach to teaching a language is the use of a strong students-teacher bond where the teacher is the best embodiment of a textbook. The teacher must be thoroughly familiar with the study material in order to teach, explain and lead the class with lan. ESL students are greatly starved of English teachers who serve as their role models and living textbooks.

These students have the remarkable knack of looking into the textbooks on their own and ratify their teacher's explanations and instructions. What they need is the generous use of question answer sessions, group discussions, and the confidence that they are headed in the right direction. In such an environment, the textbooks and supplements do wonders. The urge to study and learn becomes a passion. To begin with, the student is first given a proper overview of the whole course during the first few sessions.

This enables the student to be vigilant, well-prepared and he has a good idea of what to expect. The good leadership provided by the teacher makes learning an edifying and pleasant experience. Communication between the teacher and the student is clear, purposeful and objective. The course book is given its due