Is My Textbook Just a Fancy Paperweight? Unveiling the Mysteries of Supplementary Material in ELT

Photo by Cottonbro Studio

by Katherine Reilly, originally published by ELT NEWS printed magazine.

As educators, we often contemplate the necessity of implementing supplementary materials to enhance and appease our students’ potential for learning. However, burdening ourselves with another ‘measly’ task while stacks of uncorrected papers demand our immediate attention is, in itself, a deterrent. Besides, we were told our shiny new textbooks are jam-packed with all the extra tools we need to offer students the most innovative and satisfying approach to embedding the language they so desire to command. ELT publishers have, without a doubt, made incredible advancements in offering the most accessible venue to learning, establishing their textbooks as the backbone of many language programs. Notwithstanding this marvelous feat, there are shortcomings which must be addressed, and addressed they shall! Fear not my disgruntled colleagues; when burdened with extra work, we always take it in our stride and never crib about it.

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Teachers of Special-Needs Students Struggle With Feelings of Helplessness

The dining room of Danielle Kovach of Succasunna, N.J., a teacher, has been turned into a one-room schoolhouse. While her sons, from left, Ryan, 12; Joseph, 15; and Michael, 19, were studying recently, she held an online grammar class with her students with special needs.

Remote learning has proved challenging for students who need intensive one-on-one guidance.

by Alina Tugend

Source: nytimes