Principles of effective materials development

Principles of Effective Materials Development
Reaction Paper 
by Rosa Sandoval


When you teach children you have to think about the purpose of education. People have certain expectations of education, and those expectations influence their teaching and learning process, mainly the purpose of education is about:

·       Passing valuable knowledge and culture

·       Preparing learners as members of the society

·       Developing learners as individuals

In order to teach English in primary school you have to think in how the students acquire the language knowledge. Also, you have to think in how to teach the language in an effective way.

In the course about methods of teaching English we talked about approaches, procedures and activities. In the classroom, the main focus is in the activities. The teacher has to develop interesting activities, but the success of the activities is related to the material development.

According to the article, there are many things you have to take in account when you are choosing the materials in order to teach English as a second language, for example:

·       The need to communicate

·       The need for long term goals

·       The need for authenticity

·       The need for student centeredness

For me the next are the most important points when you are developing materials:

·      Context: this allows the students to understand better the language because it is familiar.

·        Variety: with this you get the students attention.

·       Enjoyable: if your students are having fun they will be interested.

·       Opportunity: The students need every chance to practice the language.

·       Integration: materials have to integrate the different skills