SELECTING AND ADAPTING MATERIALS IN THE CONTEXT OF ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES-IS ONE TEXTBOOK ENOUGH?

Authors

  • Elena Spirovska South East European University Republic of Macedonia

Abstract

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze in more details the process of selection, adaptation and use of teaching materials in the context of English for Academic Purposes courses (Academic English) by examining in more detail the existing teaching practices and students’ attitudes towards the textbooks and supplementary materials. The article attempts to answer the dilemma that EAP practitioners frequently encounter: is it more functional and appropriate to select and use only one source or one textbook rather than using a variety of selected and adapted materials? Do we need textbooks in the context of EAP courses and how do we select one? The article also examines students’ attitudes and beliefs towards the textbooks used in English for Academic Purposes courses, their views on other supplementary materials and their preferences regarding the type of materials. The article also suggests useful ways and criteria in the process of selecting textbooks and other materials for EAP courses.

Key words: English for Academic Purposes, textbook, language learning, materials.

Author Biography

  • Elena Spirovska, South East European University Republic of Macedonia

    Ass. Prof. Dr. Elena Spirovska Tevdovska works as an English language lecturer at the Language Centre and Faculty of Languages, Cultures and Communications at South East European University in Macedonia, teaching Basic Skills English courses, English for Specific Purposes as well as Translation and Literature in EFL at the Department of English Language and Literature. In 2003, she started working on her Master’s Degree as a participant in the Distance Education programme provided by Indiana University in cooperation with SEEU. She completed the programme and obtained her degree-Master of Educational Sciences- in 2005. In 2008, she started working on her doctoral dissertation at the Faculty of Languages, Cultures and Communications and defended her doctoral dissertation in 2012. In the meantime, she participated and presented on several international conferences on topics related to teaching English as a foreign language and published several articles in journals and conference proceedings. Her academic interests include teaching English as a foreign or second language and Literature in EFL, as well as English for Specific Purposes.

     

     

References

REFERENCES

Ellis, R 1997. “The Empirical Evaluation of Language Teaching Materials.” ELT Journal, Vol.51 No.1:36-42

file:///C:/Users/e.spirovska/Downloads/The_empirical_evaluation_of_language_teaching_material%20(3).pdf

Hyland, Ken, and Hamp-Lyons, Liz. 2002. “ EAP: issues and directions. “Journal of English for Academic Purposes 1(1), 1-12.

file:///C:/Users/e.spirovska/Downloads/09e4150f57aab5c298000000%20(2).pdf

Jordan, Robert R. 1997.English for Academic Purposes: A guide and resource book for teachers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Sheldon, Leslie.1988. Evaluating ELT textbooks and materials. ELT Journal, 42 (4), 237-246.

http://203.72.145.166/elt/files/42-4-1.pdf.

Swales, John M. 2009. “When there is no Perfect Text: Approaches to the EAP Practitioner's Dilemma.” Journal of English for Academic Purposes 8, 5-13.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1475158508001033

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Published

2015-05-20

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2015): Vol 3, No 1 (2015)

Section

Articles