Annotated Bibliography of Selected Textbooks

© 2004, Dianne F. Dow

Categorized by language focus, these teaching resources include basal series (all skills integrated into each text) and materials for teaching in a Christian setting as well as classroom textbooks for instruction in a single area or skill (children, conversation, grammar, pronunciation) or a combination of these skills. Also included are dictionaries.

With dozens of titles from which to choose, we have tried to list those that are widely used in ESL/EFL classrooms as well as those that offer unique strengths in a variety of teaching-learning situations. When evaluating these books, keep in mind that many of them have been written for learners in either an ESL or an EFL context, even though they may be more appropriate in one setting or the other.
As you examine this list, note the strengths, limitations, and other characteristics of each text, matching what it has to offer with the information you have gathered about your students in Evaluating Classroom Teaching Materials (language background, proficiency level, needs and goals, and preferred approaches to learning), your instructional objectives, and your personal teaching preferences.

Basal Series

New Readers Press. 2004. English - No Problem! Language for Home, School, Work, and Community. Syracuse, NY: New Readers Press.

Five-level series for adults focuses on building language and developing critical thinking, cultural awareness and life skills. Winner of a 2004 distinguished achievement award for excellence in educational publishing from the Association of Educational Publishers. Also available: workbooks, teacher’s editions, audio, reproducible masters, placement tests and other assessment instruments, free Web-based lesson-plan builder.

Richards, Jack C. 1998. New Interchange. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Multi-level series widely used in North America and overseas. Encourages students to engage in authentic communication from the very beginning stages of language learning. Integrates all four skills and provides meaningful practice activities. Introductory level for true beginners and three additional levels, high-beginning through high-intermediate. Also available: teacher’s manuals, workbooks, audio cassettes, lab cassettes/guides, CD-ROMs, videos, placement tests.

Children

Nakata, Ritsuko, et al. 1999. Let’s Go, 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press.

Textbook series for children ages 3 to 10 who are beginning to learn ESL. The course combines a carefully controlled, grammar-based syllabus with practical, natural-sounding language, functional dialogues, interactive games, and pairwork activities. Includes student books, workbooks, cassettes, CDs, picture dictionary, readers, chants and songs.

Christian ESL/EFL Materials

Cirafesi, Wally. 1995. English in Action: A Fast and Fun Way to Learn English (Student Workbook and Teacher’s Manual). Colorado Springs: Dawson Media.

For beginning and intermediate-level students, this text uses Total Physical Response (TPR) to introduce Bible stories as well as focus on oral communication, pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar.

Cirafesi, Wally. 2003. English in Action Storyteller (Student Workbook and Teacher’s Manual). Colorado Springs: Dawson Media.

Intermediate-level text that encourages communication while incorporating listening, speaking, reading and writing in each lesson. Uses Bible stories that connect with students’ personal experiences.

International Network. Adventures in English. Deerfield, IL: Evangelical Free Church Mission.

Thematically organized materials designed especially for two-week English camps. The Starter teacher’s manual contains a variety of resources for zero beginners; the Multi-Level teacher’s manual contains a wealth of activities to make classes interesting and active. One of the strengths is that the Bible lesson is separate but related to the theme of the day, allowing more flexibility when planning the curriculum. Other components are a student journal, Bible study guide and Bible in simplified English.

Maxwell, Shari Plueddemann. 1999. The Book of Mark: The Story of Jesus, A Studyguide in Simplified English. Wheaton, IL: Harold Shaw Publishers.

Easy-to-use study guide designed to help literacy students and intermediate to advanced ESL/EFL learners enhance their language skills while gaining a deeper understanding of Jesus through a study of the book of Mark.
Conversation

McClure, Kevin. 1996. Putting it Together: A Conversation Management Text. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall Regents.

For low-intermediate to intermediate learners. Focuses on communication strategies and typical conversational topics. Provides listening and controlled pair practice as well as more open-ended conversational practice. Utilizes excellent lists of typical phrases to build students' conversational vocabulary and idiom usage. Also available: audiocassette.
Grammar

Azar, Betty Schrampfer. Azar Grammar Series. White Plains, NY: Pearson Education.

Basic English Grammar, 2nd ed. 1996. (beginning to high beginning)
Fundamentals of English Grammar, 3rd ed. 2002. (intermediate)

Understanding and Using English Grammar, 3rd ed. 1999. (high intermediate to advanced)

Popular series characterized by clear explanations and numerous written and oral practice activities. Although these texts are not as contextualized as many on the market, they continue to be widely used as teaching texts and also as references for teachers. Also available: teacher’s guides, workbooks and answer keys.

Woodward, Suzanne W. 1997. Fun With Grammar: Communicative Activities for the AzarGrammar Series. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall Regents.

Teacher resource book with more than 200 communicative, interactive, task-based games. Keyed to Azar Grammar Series but can be used with other grammar textbooks. Student sheets can be legally photocopied.

Pronunciation

Gilbert, Judy B. 1993. Clear Speech. 2nd ed. New York: Cambridge University Press.

For intermediate to advanced students, focuses on the "musical" aspects of English—rhythm, stress, and intonation. Individual and paired practice activities encourage students to improve their production and comprehension skills. Also available: teacher’s resource book and audio cassettes.

Gilbert, Judy B. 2001. Clear Speech from the Start. New York: Cambridge University Press.

For beginning students, this pronunciation and listening comprehension text helps focuses on the rhythm, intonation and sounds of American English. Also available: teacher’s resource book, audio cassettes, and CDs.

Grant, Linda. 2001. Well Said: Pronunciation for Clear Communication, 2nd ed. Boston: Heinle & Heinle.

Communicative approach to pronunciation learning for advanced students, addressing sound/spelling patterns, syllables, word endings, linking, stress, rhythm and intonation. Includes student text, instructor’s manual, audio cassettes and CDs.

Hahn, Laura D. & Wayne B. Dickerson. 1999. Speechcraft. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press.

Series of three books designed to help non-native English speakers interact in academic and professional settings. They focus on the stress, rhythm and melody of English words and discourse. Core textbook, Workbook for International TA Discourse, Workbook for Academic Discourse, cassette tapes.

Other Resources: Dictionaries

English-English

Longman Dictionary of American English. 1983. New York: Addison-Wesley Longman.

For intermediate to advanced learners, offers several unique features which make the information accessible: definitions use a restricted vocabulary of 2,000 words; idioms are clearly marked and included after the main entries; signposts help students to quickly locate the correct definition. Also available: a workbook which helps students learn how to use the dictionary more effectively.

Picture Dictionaries

Rosenthal, Marilyn S. & Daniel B. Freeman. 1987. Longman Photo Dictionary. New York: Addison-Wesley Longman.

Introduces over 2,000 vocabulary items. Teacher’s guide offers suggestions for activities to enhance language development. Bilingual editions are available for Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Also available: workbooks and audio cassettes.