Many of my ESL students are wanting a text. It is a tangible thing they
can not only write in and review from, but I find that a good text has
more than enough exercises and provides lateral application ideas which
is critical for those that struggle. Additionally, I encourage students
to go beyond what we are working on. The more exposure they have for
what's coming up can aid them in connecting what we are doing now and
why. The fundamental issue for students is the price of texts. In Canada
we don't print many, so we pay a premiun. At our institution the
bookstore will buy back texts from students so it is one way to reduce
such a high price. 

Having said all that, I have yet to find a perfect text, so I am always
supplementing from a variety of other sources. 
e
     

Emma Bourassa
English as a Second or Additional Language/ Teaching English as a
Second Language Instructor
ESL Department
Thompson Rivers University
900 McGill Road. P.O. Box 3010
Kamloops, B.C. V2C 5N3
(250) 371-5895
fax 371-5514
ebourassa at tru.ca


>>> 

From: 	Paul Rogers <pumarosa21 at yahoo.com>
To:	The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List
<englishlanguage at nifl.gov>
Date: 	04/06/2008 12:48 pm
Subject: 	[Suspected Junk Mail][mg][EnglishLanguage 2607] 
textbooks - to have or have not?

As a response to Michael Tate's letter concerning my advocay of
textbooks, I would like to make a few comments.
       My texts accompany my web site, PUMAROSA.COM, which,
coincidentally, Larry Ferlazzo just put on one of his "Best" lists!
        I always use my texts in my classes. The students either
purchase them or bring a three ring binder so that I can give them
copies.
        The texts are particularky important for pronunciation and
writing exercises.
        As far as the price - I know that if I were to take a class at
an adult ed school, I would have to buy a text, so I do not think it
unreasonable to expect ESL students to pay for materials.
       I do not know who "millennials" are, I only know that not only
do my students enjoy my web site and my textbooks, and apparently there
are a number of other ESL teaches who agree.
       I think that we need to look at this and other questions from
the point of adult ed language learners. What would we expect in a
Japanese class, for example? I  personally would probably walk out if
there were no appropriate textbook offered as part of the course.
Sincerely,
  Paul Rogers
Michael Tate <mtate at sbctc.edu> wrote:
                Paul, 
   
  I noticed your comment about textbooks, and I wanted to share how
millennials may see textbooks.  
   
  From what I have read and heard,  millennials  expect their teachers
to use materials fresh from the web rather than from a textbook which
they see a dated, manipulated,  and even as a barrier to learning.  They
seem to see textbooks as “canned” and they want “homemade”. 
They appear to put a high value on “contemporaneous” information
unlike earlier generations who valued information that has ”stood the
test of time.”  
   
  And, for college students who are facing higher tuitions, and lagging
financial aid, the huge prices on textbooks just fuel the fire.
   
  Since basic skills students lag in the uptake of  new technology,
basic skills millennials may behave somewhat differently than their
peers, but I think they share (or will come to share) their
generation’s expectations about classroom materials.   I think this
is important for how our work may change in the near future.
   
  Michael Tate
   
    From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Paul Rogers
Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 2:25 PM
To: The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List
Subject: [EnglishLanguage 2601] writing lessons

   
    I just sent out samples of my new lessons to everyone who requested
them. Because there were attachments in the email, the message may end
up in the Spam or bulk mail box. So if you are expecting anything from
me and don't get it as of today, please check, or email me back.

    I began to write my texts over 20 years ago when I started teaching
adult  ESL in Mexico. I wrote my own becaue I could not find appropriate
material anywhere. 

    In my opininion students should all own a text and a bilingual
dictionary.

    For one thing, it helps them take the course seriously and I think
that it increases interest/attendance.

    Paul Rogers

    pumarosa21 at yahoo.com 

     

    

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