The selection, adaptation, and evaluation of materials and
resources in planning
Effective lesson planning for adult learners of English requires careful selection, adaptation, and evaluation of materials and resources. These materials, which can range from textbooks and handouts to digital tools and online platforms, play a crucial role in engaging learners and meeting their specific needs. This lesson explores how to select, evaluate, and adapt materials and resources, including the use of technology, while adhering to copyright provisions.
Selecting materials and resources
Why selection matters
Choosing the right materials and resources is essential for creating engaging and effective lessons. For adult learners, materials must be relevant, practical, and aligned with their goals, whether they are learning English for work, travel, or academic purposes.
Criteria for selection
- Relevance:
Does the material address learners’ needs and goals? - Appropriateness:
Is the material suitable for the learners’ proficiency level? - Engagement:
Does the material capture learners’ interest and encourage participation? - Accessibility:
Is the material easy to access and use, especially for learners with limited technical skills? - Cultural sensitivity:
Does the material respect and reflect learners’ cultural backgrounds?
Examples of materials and resources
- Traditional resources:
- A B1-level ESL textbook with chapters on workplace communication.
- Flashcards for vocabulary related to health and wellness.
- Audio CDs with slow-paced conversations for listening practice.
- Technology-based resources:
- Quizlet for reviewing vocabulary related to shopping and money.
- Zoom with screen sharing and breakout rooms for conversation practice.
- Microsoft Teams used to share homework files and video instructions.
- Authentic materials:
- A job advertisement from a local newspaper used to teach scanning skills.
- A café menu used in a lesson on making food orders.
- A public transport schedule used to teach how to ask about arrival and departure times.
Example
For a class of immigrant learners preparing for citizenship tests, a teacher selects a printed pamphlet from the local government about civic duties (traditional resource) and a YouTube playlist of simplified history videos (technology-based resource). These materials are appropriate in content, accessible in language, and directly related to learners’ goals.
Activity
Choose a group of adult learners (e.g., professionals, immigrants, or university students). Select one traditional resource and one technology-based resource that would be appropriate for their needs. Justify your choices based on the criteria above.
Adapting materials and resources
Why adaptation matters
No single resource is perfect for every group of learners. Adaptation ensures that materials are tailored to meet the specific needs, interests, and proficiency levels of your learners. It also allows you to incorporate real-world contexts and cultural relevance.
Steps for adaptation of materials and resources
- Simplify or expand content: Adjust the complexity of texts or tasks to match learners’ proficiency levels.
- Add context: Provide background information or examples to make the material more relatable.
- Modify format: Convert text-based materials into visual or interactive formats (e.g., turning a dialogue into a video or a quiz).
- Incorporate technology: Use digital tools to enhance engagement (e.g., creating interactive exercises using Google Forms or Padlet).
Copyright considerations
When adapting materials, ensure compliance with copyright laws. Use open educational resources (OER) or materials with Creative Commons licenses, and always credit the original source.
Examples
- A teacher simplifies a newspaper article about climate change for low-intermediate learners by replacing complex vocabulary with simpler synonyms and adding a glossary.
- A worksheet on prepositions is adapted into an online interactive drag-and-drop game using Wordwall.
- A teacher adds local examples to a reading passage about transportation (e.g., referencing local bus routes or familiar landmarks).
- A dialogue from a textbook is turned into a short video using free animation tools, which learners can rewatch for listening practice.
Example
For a group of professionals learning business English, a teacher adapts a generic email-writing worksheet by:
- Adding industry-specific examples (e.g., emails related to project updates or client communication).
- Creating an interactive version using Google Forms, where learners can type their responses and receive instant feedback.
Activity
Take a sample worksheet or text from a textbook. Adapt it for a specific group of adult learners (e.g., immigrants needing everyday communication skills). Explain how your adaptations make the material more relevant and engaging.
Evaluating materials and resources
Why evaluation matters
Evaluating materials and resources helps ensure they are effective, relevant, and aligned with lesson objectives. It also provides insights for future improvements.
Criteria for evaluation of materials and resources
- Effectiveness:
Did the material help learners achieve the intended outcomes? - Engagement:
Were learners interested and motivated to use the material? - Usability:
Was the material easy to use and understand? - Feedback:
What did learners and colleagues think about the material? - Cultural relevance:
Did the material respect and reflect learners’ cultural backgrounds?
Examples of evaluation
- Traditional resource
After using a chapter on telephone conversations, a teacher notices that learners struggled with intonation patterns. The teacher decides to include audio samples and practice in future lessons. - Technology-based resource
After using Padlet for a collaborative writing activity, learners reported that they enjoyed seeing each other’s work and felt more motivated to revise their texts. However, some learners had difficulty accessing the tool on their phones, which the teacher addresses in the next session. - Authentic material
A podcast on workplace etiquette is used in class. Learners enjoy the content but ask for a transcript. The teacher uses the feedback to provide printable transcripts in future listening tasks.
Activity
Choose a resource you have used in a lesson (e.g., a handout, video, or app). Evaluate it using the criteria above. Write down one strength and one area for improvement.
Using technology in lesson planning
Why technology matters
Technology enhances learning by providing interactive, multimedia, and personalized experiences. It also allows learners to practice English in real-world contexts, such as through online simulations or virtual exchanges.
Examples of technology-based materials and resources
- Interactive platforms
- Kahoot for quick grammar reviews using gamified quizzes.
- Quizlet for matching vocabulary terms with definitions.
- Padlet for group brainstorming in writing lessons.
- Video tools
- YouTube videos for cultural immersion (e.g., how-to videos, interviews, restaurant scenes).
- TED Talks to practice note-taking and summarizing skills.
- Zoom for virtual speaking clubs and small group discussions.
- Language learning apps
- Duolingo for beginners who want daily vocabulary practice.
- Babbel for A2–B1 learners practicing travel phrases.
- Memrise for pronunciation practice with native speaker videos.
- Authentic materials:
- News websites (e.g., BBC Learning English) to discuss current events.
- Podcasts like “The English We Speak” or “6-Minute English.”
- Social media posts (e.g., Instagram captions or tweets) to analyze informal language.
Examples
A teacher uses YouTube videos of restaurant conversations to teach ordering food. Learners watch the videos, complete comprehension questions, and then role-play similar conversations. This combines listening, speaking, and cultural learning in one activity.
Another teacher planning a lesson on describing daily routines uses Padlet. Each student uploads a short video or audio clip of their routine. These are then used in peer feedback and error correction activities during the lesson.
Activity
Choose a technology-based resource (e.g., a podcast, app, or online platform). Design a short activity using this resource for a specific group of adult learners. Explain how the resource enhances the learning experience.
Final thoughts
The selection, adaptation, and evaluation of materials and resources are critical components of effective lesson planning for adult learners of English. By choosing relevant and engaging materials, adapting them to meet learners’ needs, and evaluating their effectiveness, educators can create impactful and meaningful learning experiences. Incorporating technology further enhances engagement and provides opportunities for real-world practice.
To your CELTA journal
Create a checklist for evaluating materials and resources. Include at least five criteria (e.g., relevance, engagement, usability). Use this checklist to evaluate a resource you plan to use in your next lesson. Make adjustments based on your findings.