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Course books are usually an integral part of teaching, whether teachers like them or not. Using a course book has pros and cons; it’s important for teachers to use their course book to their advantage as much as possible, while not relying on it too much. A good class will also balance the course book with a variety of created and authentic materials.
Using the course book advantageously may seem like a challenge for teachers, however there are four common options that can be considered. The first one is to omit material. Teachers are not bound by the course book, and are free to cut out material if they feel it is not helpful for their students, or on topic. It is important to be careful about how much you omit, if done too much having a course book at all can seem pointless to students. Another option is to replace material. If the content or activity in a course book is lacking, the teacher can change it out for something better, or more suitable for the students. The next option is to supplement. If one area in the course book seems to be lacking, the teacher can add more material or emphasis on certain topics. The last option is to adapt the materials. The basic ideas of the course book are still used, but the teacher presents them in their own way.
An engaging classroom will balance course book sections with created or authentic materials. Created materials include word searches, flash cards, other game materials, and so on. Created materials are often used to supplement the course book. Authentic materials include articles, posters, television shows, etc. Any materials a native speaker would consume on a daily basis. These are also good for supplementing course book materials, and can sometimes replace them as well. If the content of the course book is uninteresting or not appropriate for the students, replacing it with authentic material is a good way to keep students engaged. However, it is important for the teacher to choose authentic material carefully, since it isn’t graded for student level.
Course books can be troublesome for both teachers and students alike. Nevertheless, a teacher can still use a course book effectively by omitting, replacing, supplementing, and adapting the materials. In doing this, the teacher often brings created and authentic materials to the class, which can create a balanced and varied learning environment.
