Issues in Materials Development

Abstract

Issues in Materials Development provides readers with theoretical foundations and practical aspects of designing materials for EFL/ESL contexts. It starts with discussing some basic and preliminary principles of materials design followed by scrutinizing critical issues in materials development in an objective and systematic way. This ranges from considering learners' needs, adopting, adapting, selection, and gradation of materials to the specific focus of the book on developing various types of materials for the four language skills, pronunciation, ESP vocabulary, and computer assisted language learning materials. Authenticity of materials to be designed and the inclusion of affective factors to develop motivating materials to engage language learners, in addition to features of materials design at a universal level are other areas to read about. This book finally tries to open new horizons and possible futuristic approaches to improve today's ELT materials. Preface -- The Importance of Materials Development for Language Learning -- Principles and Procedures in Materials Development -- The Importance of Needs Analysis in Materials Development -- Selection and Gradation in Materials Development: A Language-Centered and Learner-Centered Perspective -- Adapting and Adopting Materials -- Developing Reading Materials for ESL Learners -- Some Guidelines for Developing Listening Materials; Materials to Develop Speaking Skill -- Material for Teaching Writing -- Pronunciation Materials -- The ESP Vocabulary Portfolio as a Tool for Sustained Vocabulary Learning: Student-Created Materials -- Technology in Materials Development: A CALL Perspective -- Authenticity in Materials Development: Towards a Framework for a Localised Approach to Authenticity of EFL Teaching and Learning Materials -- Using Affectively Engaging Texts to Stimulate Motivation in the Learner-Centred Classroom -- Universal Design in Materials Development: Veneer and Soul -- Improvements in Today's ELT Materials Development -- About the Contributors -- Author Index -- Subject Index.