TEFL Cameron New York

Having no prior knowledge of the availability of published teaching resources I have chosen this topic as my research article. Its purpose is to explore the availability and value of published teaching resources compared with ‘homemade' or tailored resources. Such resources include: handouts, games, tests, questionnaires and written texts. Their availability is based on a keyword internet search using the words; ESOL Teaching Resources and english Language Teaching Resources using a Google search engine. Principal websites that I found and reviewed include: • Guardian.co.uk • Handouthub.com • Primaryresources.co.uk • teacheractivities.co.uk • Teachingenglishgames.co.uk • Teachingideas.co.uk I have determined the value of the teaching resources by the apparent quality of the materials and their cost (money and time). As I have yet to start teaching english as a foreign language, I am unable to evaluate their use in the classroom. However, having had some prior teaching experience I feel able to comment on the quality of presentation and content. Before discussing published teaching materials it is worth considering the alternative; tailored resources. These can be designed to suit the specific needs of a student group. They can be linked to particular course materials or developed as standalone activities. With modern technology producing tailored materials is much easier and quicker, but IT skills alone are not sufficient to ensure high quality materials. The most important aspect of any handout, quiz or game is that it achieves its stated purpose; to stimulate or re-enforce learning. Not all teachers are blessed with the time, the skill or the creative imagination to produce their own resources. As the quality of teaching materials is often judged by the look of the overall package, resources that do not link directly to the main course book may be considered amateurish or of poor value. As time and money are in short supply within the teaching profession it is right to question whether the benefits of tailor made resources can outweigh the negatives. There is also a risk that the tailored resources may not be pitched at the right level and therefore fail to achieve their objectives. When so many teachers have run english language courses in the past surely it makes sense to draw on their vicarious experiences and ideas through the use of published materials? Of the teaching resource websites reviewed, all appear to offer materials which have been produced by experienced teachers. Most of the websites specify the age group or language level for each resource. As a novice teacher I found this particularly beneficial as I have yet to gain experience in selecting the right language level. Most of the sites provide these resources free. Only one of the sites charges a subscription (£25 pa pp and £95 pa per organisation). This particular website, handouthub.com offered teaching resources which were directly linked to published course materials. This could be extremely useful for a busy teacher looking for additional related materials linked directly to their course book. The Guardian website appeared to be the easiest and most sophisticated site to navigate and provides a huge range of very professional looking teaching resources including testing facilities. The site is more interactive than others enabling the teacher to manage student groups who can complete selected tests on line. The results of which, can be collated into reports. Although less sophisticated, teachingenglishgames.com provides a wide range of games, activities and ideas that simulate the natural learning process in preference to the text book approach. This site is geared particularly to ESOL teaching. Accessing specific materials was easy and quick although the presentation of materials was not quite so polished. Primary resources.co.uk provides a wealth of games and activities for primary age children. They also include extensive texts suitable for all key stage reading groups although these are not specifically chosen for L2 learners. In summary, I have discovered a wealth of resources at my fingertips which are available free or nearly free. While I think there will always be a case for some tailored resources to add variety or for remedial purposes or revision, I see no reason to re-invent the wheel when there is so much good quality published material already in existence.