ESL Teacher Books for Professional Development
Ranked #7,933 in Education, #181,445 overall
It's not easy to teach English but you can become a better teacher by reading a few good books on how to do it
"How to Teach English" by Jeremy Harmer
How To Teach English (with DVD)
Amazon Price: $44.73 (as of 05/30/2012)
This should be the first book that you pick up when you're starting your ESL career. And actually, you should read it before you even think about setting foot in the classroom. It's perfect for beginners because it doesn't assume a lot of prior knowledge and covers all the bases. It ranges from general commentary to specific problems that the ESL might face. Also included are plenty of ideas for activities that you can do in your classes.
Who should read these ESL Teaching books?
Maybe you just finished university and plan to head overseas to teach English. The only problem is that you've never set foot inside a classroom as the teacher. That was my experience the first year that I came to South Korea to teach in a private institute. Back then, I didn't even really consider what I would or should be doing in classes and just did anything to fill the time. However, I truly wish that I had read a few books about teaching ESL before I came to Korea so that my first couple years teaching could have been much more effective. So, if you're heading overseas to teach ESL for the first time, read a few of the books so you have some idea of what you're doing. Bring them along with you to refer to when you run into problems.I obviously read these books later on in my teaching career and they benefited my enormously. I saw the why behind the how. It was very enlightening. So, even if you're an experienced teacher, a bit of reading could help you enormously.
"How to Teach Writing" by Jeremy Harmer
How to Teach Writing
Amazon Price: $32.62 (as of 05/30/2012)
Writing can be one of the most difficult things to teach, especially if you don't have a framework or idea of how learning writing actually works in the ESL Classroom. Jeremy Harmer comes out with another excellent book that is a must-read before you teach your first writing class. Lots of practical ideas and how to overcome common problems that you might face.
What do your ESL Students struggle most with?
ESL Textbook Reviews
"Principles of Language Learning and Teaching" by Douglas Brown
Principles of Language Learning and Teaching (5th Edition)
Amazon Price: $29.81 (as of 05/30/2012)
This is another classic book, along the same lines of Jeremy Harmer's book. In fact, you should really read both of them before you set foot in an ESL classroom. Brown's book focuses a bit more on technical stuff because he covers all the latest research in the ESL World, and gives you an idea of what has been proven to be most effective for learning English. However, it is still easy to read and accessible, even for those without a lot of exposure to ESL terms.
"Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching" by Jack Richards
Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching (Cambridge Language Teaching Library)
Amazon Price: $13.17 (as of 05/30/2012)
This book is a survey type that covers the main methods used in teaching ESL. It is comprehensive in it's review of each one, such that you could easily pick a method and then design a course based on it, complete with goals, syllabus, activities and tests. It is very helpful in helping a teacher to clarify what method they are coming from and how to make it work for them. This book is for the more experienced teacher.
Teaching Grammar to ESL Students
What age group do you teach?
"How to Teach Grammar" by Scott Thornbury
How to Teach Grammar
Amazon Price: $33.01 (as of 05/30/2012)
Grammar, along with writing is one of the most difficult things to teach. However, it is one of the most important things for advanced students to learn if they ever hope to become fluent. Teaching is well is almost impossible if you don't know what you're doing and this is where this book can come in. Thornbury does an excellent job of showing how you can practice a variety of grammar topics, correct errors, and integrate grammar instruction into various teaching methods, such as task-based teaching.
He reviews the main methods for teaching grammar but encourages teachers to take some ideas and make it their own. This book is a must-read for those teaching "grammar" as well as for those teaching general English but who would like to get away from the strictly conversational into more grammar type things in their classroom.
Teaching ESL on Twitter
Interested in Teaching ESL in South Korea?
"Task Based Language Teaching" By David Nunan
Task-Based Language Teaching (Cambridge Language Teaching Library)
Amazon Price: $25.89 (as of 05/30/2012)
David Nunan is one of the most famous people in the ESL world and for good reason! He has plenty of good, practical ideas in this book on task-based teaching.
Task-based teaching is all the rage these days and it appears to remain so in the future. This book is helpful for those looking to integrate some more task-based activities into their classrooms. He has an overview of the field, as well as some practical help in designing some activities.
More Professional Development for ESL Teaching
Teaching ESL Listening and Speaking
Teaching ESL/EFL Listening and Speaking (ESL & Applied Linguistics Professional Series)
Amazon Price: (as of 05/30/2012)
From a trusted name, Paul Nation this book is guaranteed to leave you with a better understanding of how to teach these important skills. It's filled with plenty of practical tips, as well as a theoretical overview to get you going in the right direction.
More Teaching ESL Books
More ESL teaching
- State Recognizes Harrison Elementary School In Roselle For ESL Program
- The programs were selected based on criteria developed by the New Jersey Supervisors of World Languages and the Statewide Advisory Committee for Bilingual and ESL Education, with assistance from the New Jersey Department of Education.
- Fortuna Elementary School District: At-large candidates
- Public service experience: I have been a teacher in California's public schools, adult schools, and colleges for over 10 years teaching both English and English as a Second Language (ESL). Here in Fortuna, I volunteer on a weekly basis in my child's ...
- Retirement is for enrichment
- Creston Retiree goes back to School as an ESL Volunteer at GRPS' Palmer Elementary School. Nancy Allen been volunteering with ESL students 1 to 2 times a week, and has made her own teaching meterials for her students. /CNA Palmer Elementary school has ...
- ESL Program Gets Boost from UNH
- NASHUA ? A $1.8 million five-year grant from the US Department of Education will help boost Nashua schools by providing a new training program for ESL teachers. ?The Nashua School District is extremely excited to partner with UNH on the five-year grant ...
About this ESL Teacher Abroad
What TEFL / TESOL books do you like?
-
-
Trireme
Jun 26, 2011 @ 8:56 am | delete
- Good wealth of resource for teachers of all levels.
-
by jackiebolen
I've been an ESL Teacher in Korea for 6 years and have taught all age groups, from pre-school to adults. I strive to become a better teacher by readi... more »
- 197 featured lenses
- Winner of 35 trophies!
- Top lens » Speaking activities for ESL students
Explore related pages
- Technology in the ESL Classroom Technology in the ESL Classroom
- ESL Teacher Professional Development ESL Teacher Professional Development
- Websites for ESL teachers Websites for ESL teachers
- How to get a University ESL Teaching Job in Korea How to get a University ESL Teaching Job in Korea
- ESL Warm-up Activities and Games ESL Warm-up Activities and Games
- Speaking activities for ESL students Speaking activities for ESL students
My #1 choice for how to teach English
How To Teach English (with DVD)
Amazon Price: $44.73 (as of 05/30/2012)
From the trusted name in ESL teaching: Jeremy Harmer
My Life! Teaching in a Korean University
Interested in Teaching ESL Abroad?
