If you are a student of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), you might be wondering what books you should read to improve your skills and knowledge. There are many books available on the market these days. In this blog post, I will recommend some of the best books for TEFL students, based on my own experience and feedback from other teachers.
1. Learning Teaching by Jim Scrivener is a comprehensive guide to the principles and practice of teaching English. It covers a wide range of topics, such as learners and learning, classroom management, lesson planning, teaching skills, teaching grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation, assessment and evaluation, and professional development. It also includes practical activities, tasks, and tips that you can use in your own teaching. This is a book that you will find yourself referring to again and again throughout your teaching career.
2. The Practice of English Language Teaching by Jeremy Harmer. This is a comprehensive and practical guide to the theory and practice of teaching English, covering topics such as lesson planning, classroom management, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, skills, and assessment. The book is suitable for both novice and experienced teachers, and it includes a DVD with video clips of real classroom situations. It is also updated regularly to reflect the latest trends and developments in the field of TEFL.
3. Practical English Usage by Michael Swan is a comprehensive guide to the usage problems and difficulties that you might encounter in English. It covers topics such as spelling, punctuation, word order, vocabulary, pronunciation, style, and register. It also explains the differences between British and American English, formal and informal English, and spoken and written English. You can use it to find answers to specific questions, to learn about common mistakes and how to avoid them, or to explore the nuances and variations of the language.
4. 700 Classroom Activities by David Seymour and Maria Popova is a great resource for teachers who need some ideas for engaging and effective activities to use in their lessons. The book covers four main areas: grammar, vocabulary, functions, and skills. Each activity is clearly explained and easy to follow, and most of them require minimal preparation and materials. You can use these activities to introduce, practice, or review language points with your students, or to fill in some gaps in your lesson plan.
5. Compelling Conversations by Eric H. Roth and Toni Aberson is designed for teachers who want to help their students develop their speaking skills and confidence. The book contains 45 chapters, each focusing on a different theme or topic that can spark interesting and meaningful conversations among students. The chapters include questions, quotations, proverbs, vocabulary lists, and writing exercises that can be used to stimulate discussion and reflection. The book is suitable for intermediate to advanced learners who want to expand their vocabulary and fluency.
6. Pronunciation Games by Mark Hankock is a fun and practical way to help your students improve their pronunciation of English sounds, words, and sentences. The book contains 36 games that can be played in pairs or groups, using cards, boards, dice, or other simple materials. The games are divided into three sections: sounds, stress, and intonation, and connected speech. The games are enjoyable and challenging, and they can help your students become more aware and accurate in their pronunciation.
7. Learner English by Bernard Smith and Michael Swan is a must-read for teachers who want to understand the common problems and difficulties that learners of different languages face when they learn English. The book provides an overview of the linguistic features and interference errors of 22 languages or language groups, such as Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, etc. The book also offers some suggestions and strategies for teaching and correcting these errors. The book is very informative and insightful, and it can help you tailor your teaching to the specific needs of your students.
8. Five-Minute Activities: A Resource Book of Short Activities by Penny Ur and Andrew Wright is a collection of over 100 activities that can be used in any TEFL classroom, with any level of learners, and with minimal preparation and materials. The activities are designed to fill in the gaps between lessons, to review or practice language points, to warm up or cool down the class, or to provide some fun and variety. The activities cover different skills, such as speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. They also range from simple games and puzzles to more creative and challenging tasks.
9. English Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy is a self-study reference and practice book for intermediate learners of English. It covers all the essential grammar topics, such as tenses, modals, conditionals, clauses, articles, and prepositions. It also provides clear explanations, examples, and exercises to help you master the rules and avoid common mistakes. The book is divided into units that you can study in any order, depending on your needs and interests. You can also use the book as a supplement to your course or as a revision tool before exams.
10. English Vocabulary in Use by Michael McCarthy is a similar book to the above but focused on vocabulary instead of grammar. It is also designed for intermediate learners of English who want to expand their range and accuracy of words. It covers over 2500 words and phrases, organized into thematic units such as work, travel, education, and health. Each unit presents the vocabulary in context, explains its meaning and usage, and provides practice exercises to consolidate your learning. You can also find additional resources online, such as audio recordings, tests, and games.
These are some of the books that we think every TEFL student should read. Of course, there are many other books that are worth reading, depending on your interests and needs. However, these ten books will provide you with a solid foundation for your TEFL studies and career. Happy reading!
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