Hello everybody,
I’m Manju from India…..to be precise….from a state called Kerala. I work as a teacher educator in English in a B.Ed training college. I have been ‘ into’ the ELT field only recently. A genuine effort on my part to help my students’ doubts regarding ELT opened up a new vista of knowledge before me. I couldn’t believe myself to have been sooooo aloof to my profession for the past 2 years!!!!!!!Anyway as the saying goes…Better late than Never!!…….I’m indebted to Lord Almighty for having me initiated into this. However to this date……I’ve been a person full of doubts…..perhaps ignorance from elders or lack of opportunities might have caused that hindrance…….but I still possess the angst to clarify those doubts ……maybe I didn’t try….…whatever it may…I would like anyone of you to give me a basic understanding in ELT……what is it?…… theoretical framework……historical background…..which books to read…..which site to refer….etc etc.Anybody to help???
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Dear Manju
I think you came to the right place and to the right people. Here at Teaching English you will find lots of articles on methodology and also classroom activities that you can adapt and use with your students. Please, take your time and browse around.
Besides that, you can download the Language Assitant Manual - it was written as a guide and handbook for novice English language teachers taking their first steps into the classroom. It is packed with tips and useful ideas. There is also a Language Assitante website to accompany the book.
Please, click here to download the manual.
Chris Lima
Hi Manju!
In the B.A. in ELT department where I teach, the students' favorite book in ELT is Jeremy Harmer's The Practice of the English Language Teaching Fourth Edition, 2007, with DVD, published by Pearson Longman. Many English teachers in my university own a copy of this book because it is a very good reference for teaching. I myself have 3 of the editions. I fibd it a very good reference in my teacher training courses.
Hello from Mexico!
Ellen
Dear Manju,
The following books are the books all English teachers must possess in order to know the history, theories, principles and practices of ELT.
1. Doff, A. Teach English. CUP.
2. Harmer, J. The practice of English language teaching. Longman.
3. Howatt, A. P. R. A History of English Language Teaching. OUP.
4. Larsen-Freeman, D. Techniques and Principles in Language Teaching. Second Edition. OUP.
5. Lightbown, P and N. Spada. How Languages are Learned. Oxford: OUP.
6. Richards J C and T Rogers. Approaches and methods in Language Teaching.CUP.
7. Ur, P. A course in language teaching. CUP.
8. Williams, M. and R. L. Burden Psychology for Language Teachers: A Social Constructive Approach. CUP.
Luckily for you, Nos 1, 4, 6, 7 are in Indian low priced editions. I am not sure of No 2.
Reading these books will bring you to the mainstream ELT.
Regards
Laxman from Nepal
Hi Manju
So far you have had some very good advice from some very good teachers, One thing you already have and that is a need to help your students. I teach here in the UK and came into teaching late in life at the age of 52. The one thing you will find as I did is ELT teachers willingness to share ideas, materials, and knowledge.
One non academic book I would recommend that will give you a feel for the language and its history is Melvyn Bragg's The Adventure of English. It is a great read as well as informative.
Mal James
I relocated to Kerala from Mumbai, four years back. I lived in Mumbai for close to 40 years. I am a teacher trainer right now for the English Language. I know the problems with the educational system in Kerala, more so, with respect to the English Language. It is unarguably a great challenge for any ELT Trainer, to train students in the present scenario.
Be in touch with members of this site. You can voice your concerns very frankly, and I can say without the slightest exaggeration whatsoever, that the help and support which you will get here cannot be traded for anything. Personally, I have learnt a lot by going through the suggestions of members and it has really given me a wider perspective.