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What are some course materials that can be used in the classroom? Materials are anything the teacher can bring to the classroom that can be used to aid in the teaching process. Some common examples of materials used are worksheets (used by students to practice what they are learning), pictures, flashcards, drawings, recordings, real objects (realia), comic books, magazines and videos. There are two categories or classifications of materials: Authentic and Non-Authentic. Authentic materials are materials that have been created for a real purpose and wasn’t intended for use in the classroom. An example of authentic materials would be a magazine from the United States. This magazine can be used in the classroom because it is realistic and the students can relate to it and it would be less predictable than a course book or other object that was created specifically for teaching in a classroom. Non-Authentic materials are materials that have been created by an educational company or teachers for the specific purpose of being used for teaching in the classroom. An example of non-authentic materials would be a specific course book for learning English. Course books are usually introduced as a set which will include a book for the student for use in the classroom, a workbook for the student which will be used for supplemental, class or homework, a cassette or CD which can be used in the classroom or at home and a teacher’s book or guide that will give step-by-step instructions on how to teach the material and test to see how the students have progressed in the course. There are some advantages and disadvantages to using course books in the classroom. A few advantages to using course books in the classroom are: 1. They provide a syllabus which will be suited to the grade level of the students, have a mix of grammar, vocabulary and skills for the student to work on. 2. They are attractive and eye appealing. 3. They offer continuity and progression. 4. They are easier and less time-consuming than having to design a syllabus and materials from scratch. A few disadvantages to using course books in the classroom are: 1. They do not always fit the needs and interests of all the class and may be disliked by the students which will cause reluctance to use them. 2. They can become very predictable and boring to the students by using them exclusively. 3. They dictate the material being taught which can cause problems analyzing problems the students may have and prevent the lessons from being student-centered. Another material available for use in the classroom is the internet. The internet provides two major teaching resources. The first is that it can be used to find material and information for planning lessons and development purposes. The second is that the students can be directed to various sites that they can use in the own personal time outside the classroom as a further learning tool. Any websites suggested to students should be checked out in advance to assure they are appropriate and relevant to the students. Resources: ITTT Specialized Course Teaching English to Young Learners Unit 4 Materials
