I’m quite aware that I’m sailing close to the wind. When people try to pick your brains on using a particular course book or not in your classes, you start dancing between the devil and deep blue sea. In fact, the answer is written all over your face. But, political answers flap around and they end up getting nothing.
The question has two dimensions. First, government provides the books and you’re expected to use those books. But, private schools have their own policies. Second, students associate a lesson with a course book. They feel there can be no lesson without a course book.
So, can we survive without a course book? I have taken up my position about this. As a state worker, I do not use “our” course books. I know I’m flying into the face of danger. But, I’m willing to pay dearly. Cause, I see students learn more when I use my own materials. They also learn that course books aren’t magic lamps and they can do without a course book. Not to mention jerry-built content of the course books! If we were provided with the course books we preferred, I’d use both of them.
I think there is no perfect course book but there is perfect material. There are policies we have to comply with. We try to have our students acquire communicative skills and course books usually don't help us do that. Then, we start complaining about them. You know it sometimes turns out to be a two-edged sword. With or without course book?
Bülent
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Comments
Hi Bülent,
Thank you for raising this issue. It is one of those controversial issues.
I am one of those who finds it difficult to have a lesson without a course. However, I never use the coursebooks I am expected to use. I mean I have a blended approach. Namely, I always change the activities in our coursebooks and adapt them according to the levels, interests and needs of my students. I skip some activities, omit some of them and extend some others. I add my own materials I gather from other resources. The coursebooks act like guides. They are helpful but not enough on their owns.
"If we were provided with the course books we preferred, I’d use both of them."- I agree with you.
I like very, very few course books. Most of them are too packed, visually confusing, and are not interesting.
Teachers who care about their students and love their job always standout- they regularly use their own materials.
I have heard that in state schools students do not pay for their course books. The books are provided by the state, free of cost. If this is true, I see no problem in the teacher using his own professional judgement and choosing whether or not (or to what extent) s/he will use the course book. However, in private schools the situation is very different. English course books are very expensive. I paid 70TL (!) for my son's coursebooks and readers last semester! So, as a parent I have to say that I will be very angry if my son's teachers choose not to use those books! The same goes for the school I work at. We select our books on the basis of the curriculum (not the state curriculum - our own curriculum) and if we make the parents buy it - we certainly use it!
:-)CoffeeAddict
Hi Oya,
It takes a lot of time but what you do is great! Thanks for the comment!
Bülent
Hi Aisha,
I totally agree with you. Thanks for the comment!
Bülent
Hi CoffeeAddict,
Yes, the state provides the books free of charge. That's why school inspectors and head teacher expect you to use those books and it's almost impossible to use other course books as you have mentioned about their price. Besides, it's forbidden. I just bring the books to the classroom but never use it. You're lucky that you can choose your course books. Thanks for the comment.
Bülent
Hi,
Good topic again. I think it is a difficult question but coursebooks are really helpful for those who just started, they need guidance because even if we graduate from education faculties become teachers after starting to teach. So it takes time to be able to prepare your own material. However, when years pass and you save many things you add some spice to your coursebook. I believe coursebooks are just materials, they become very usefl in the hands of a very creative teacher and same coursebook won't work with another teacher or a class.
I love preparing lessons. I have some classes where I don't use a coursebook and a class that I use a coursebook.We have so many good quality resources for teaching English that I sometimes feel sorry when I can't use more.
If the students see your careful planning, whether you enter a class with a coursebook or not doesn't make any difference. They can get easily the thing you want from them.
Looking forward to your next post.
Eva
Very good answer, Eva.