Selecting a textbook

1
Selecting a textbook

• FLLT622
• Dr. Cubillos

2
What criteria should be taken into account when
selecting a textbook?

• Start developing a Textbook Selection Checklist
  (this will be the opening segment of your next
  report)

3
Possible Criteria

• Superficial Elements
• Size
• Number of chapters
• Quality of design
• Pictures
• Colors
• Fonts
• Fancy ancillaries

• Pedagogical Considerations
• Solid linguistic foundations
• Solid philosophy of learning
• Quality and variety of activities
• Quality and variety of ancillaries
• User Friendliness

4
Key Question

• How effectively will this textbook support my
  pedagogical goals?

5
Agenda

• Focus on the Language
• Focus on the Learner
• Focus on the Learning Process

6
Examining a Textbook

• What is language?
• Purpose(s)
• Components
• Sequence
• Emphasis

7
How does the author view language?

• Nunans Perspective
• Definition of linguistic competence
• Components of linguistic competence (grammatical,
  socio-linguistic, strategic)
• Relationship among those components
• Shrum Glisans Perspective
• Modes of communication
• Interpersonal, Interpretive, Presentational

8
Vocabulary

• Forms of presentation
• Context
• Connections with other linguistic components
  (grammar, pronunciation, etc.)
• Recycling

9
Grammar

• Grammar rules (explicitly stated, implicitly,
  inductively, deductively,etc.)
• Dimensions of grammar
• Form
• Meaning
• Use

10
Discourse

• Textual connectivity
• Cohesion
• Reference
• Speech acts

11
Interpreting Language

• Schema theory
• Strategies
• Authenticity
• Frequency
• Tasks

12
Language Development Metaphors

• Linear (Building block)
• Organic