Guidelines to Consider When Guidelines for Designing Factors to Consider When

Designing Materials Effective English Language Designing Materials

Teaching Materials
By: Jocelyn Howard & Jae Major

It may act as useful framework for teachers as There are six key factors that teachers need
they navigate the range of factors and variables to take into account when embarking on the
to develop materials for their own teaching design of teaching materials.
situations.

(1) English language teaching materials (1) Learners (2) Curriculum & the context
should be contextualised to the: - teacher must ensure they know their - significantly putting an impact on
- curriculum in the intended to address. learners well. decisions about teaching materials.
- experiences, realities and first language of the - take into account - teachers responsibility to ensure that the
learners. learners learning preference. goals and objectives of the overarching
- topics and theme that provide meaningful, Learners experience (life & curriculum are kept close at hand when
purposeful uses for the target language. educational) designing materials. (Nunan. 1988).
Level of 1st language literacy.
(2) Materials should stimulate interaction
and be generative in terms of language. Aspirations, interests & purposes for
- effective learning frequently involves learners (3) Resources and facilities (4) Personal confidence and
in explorations of new linguistic terrain and - teacher must be realistic about what they competence
interaction can often be the medium for can achieve in term of materials design - this will be influenced by teachers level
providing the stretch that is necessary for on- and production within the limitations of of teaching experience, creativity and
going language development. available resources and facilities. artistic skills as well as overall
understanding of the principles of materials
(3) English language teaching materials design and production.
should encourage learners to develop
learning skills and strategies.
- strategies such as rewording and using facial
expressions such as body language effectively (5) Copyright compliance (5) Time
can be fine-tuned with well-designed materials. - teacher must aware and mindful of the - it is a disadvantage for the teachers to
restrictions that copyright laws place on design their own materials.
the copying of authentic materials, - so, teacher must consider ways to make
(4) English language teaching materials published materials and materials this aspect manageable (Block, 1991)
should have appropriate instructions. downloaded from the internet for the use in Sharing materials with other
- instructions should be written in language the classroom; worksheets, pictures, teachers.
that is appropriate for the target learners and exercises. Working in teams to design &
the use of the correct meta-language can assist produce materials.
with making instructions more concise and
Source: Howard, J. & Major, J. (n. d.). Guidelines for Designing Effective English Language Teaching Materials. Christchurch
efficient. College of Education.