Teaching Materials and Resources

What this unit covers

The resources here centre on two readings: Brian Tomlinson's state-of-the-art article on materials development for language learning and teaching, and Andrew Littlejohn's chapter on language teaching materials and the big picture. Many titles shorten the second one to "LTM and the very big picture". You will also find shorter items on textbooks, course books, authentic materials and the selection and adaptation of materials.

Where to start

Begin with a mind map to see the shape of the topic. The map "Materials development for language learning and teaching" appears in many versions, so open a few and compare how different students organised the same ideas. The flashcard deck "Language Teaching Materials and the (Very) Big Picture" is a quick way to learn the definition of materials development. That definition covers evaluation, adaptation, design, production, use and research.

Using quizzes and maps together

Quizzes on this page ask about the article's abstract, the types of materials teachers can create, and the idea that materials can be informative, instructional, experiential or exploratory. Try the quiz "Materials development for language learning and teaching - Tomlinson" after reading a map. Then return to the map for any question you missed.

• Read or skim a map to get the structure.
• Take a quiz and note your gaps.
• Use flashcards to fix definitions and key terms.
• Check the flowcharts, such as the one on the role of textbooks, for a visual summary.

Where it sits

This unit belongs to the Curriculum and Planning strand of Education and pedagogy. It suits anyone preparing for the TKT, which some listed resources mention, or studying how materials shape classroom practice.

Make it your own

Once you have worked through a few items, build your own flashcards or a map in your own words. It is a good way to see what you remember.