Teaching Practice (TP) is a core component of the CELTA course, where trainees plan and deliver lessons to real ESL learners. One of the most effective ways to prepare for and excel in TP is by building a resource bank of commercially produced resources and non-published materials. This collection of tools and materials can significantly enhance the quality of your lessons, reduce planning time, and boost your confidence in the classroom.
What is a resource bank?
A resource bank is a curated collection of teaching materials, including textbooks, worksheets, flashcards, audio-visual aids, games, and online resources. It can also include non-published materials, such as lesson plans, activities, and templates you’ve created or adapted. Having a diverse range of resources at your fingertips allows you to tailor your lessons to the needs of your learners and respond to unexpected challenges during TP.
Benefits of a resource bank for TP
Saves time and reduces stress
CELTA is an intensive course, and lesson planning can be time-consuming. A well-organized resource bank provides quick access to ready-made materials, such as grammar exercises, vocabulary activities, or reading comprehension tasks. This saves you from starting from scratch and allows you to focus on refining your lesson plans and teaching techniques.
Supports differentiaition
Every class has learners with varying abilities, interests, and learning styles. A resource bank enables you to select materials that cater to different levels and preferences. For example, you can use visual aids for visual learners, role-play activities for kinesthetic learners, or audio clips for auditory learners. This flexibility helps you create inclusive and engaging lessons.
Encourages creativity and variety
Using a mix of commercially produced and non-published materials allows you to bring creativity and variety into your lessons. For instance, you can combine a textbook activity with a game you’ve designed or use authentic materials like news articles or songs to make lessons more relevant and engaging. This keeps students motivated and makes your teaching stand out.
Provides a safety net
Even the most well-planned lessons can encounter hiccups, such as activities finishing too quickly or students struggling with a concept. A resource bank acts as a safety net, allowing you to quickly pull out supplementary materials or alternative activities to adapt to the situation. This demonstrates your ability to think on your feet and manage the classroom effectively.
Helps you reflect and improve
As you build your resource bank, you’ll naturally reflect on what works and what doesn’t. For example, you might notice that certain activities consistently engage students or that specific grammar explanations are particularly effective. Over time, this reflection helps you refine your teaching style and develop a deeper understanding of effective teaching practices.
Types of resources to include in your
resource bank
Here’s a checklist of all possible types of resources you can include:
- Textbooks and workbooks
- Grammar and vocabulary guides
- Worksheets and handouts
- Lesson plan templates
- Flashcards and visual aids
- Games and interactive activities
- Authentic materials (articles, videos, songs, etc.)
- Digital tools (apps, platforms, and software)
- Audio and video clips
- Realia (menus, brochures, tickets, etc.)
- Assessment tools (quizzes, tests, and rubrics)
- Professional development resources (books, blogs, and webinars)
How to set up the resource bank
Start with commercially produced resources
Commercially produced resources are professionally designed materials that provide a solid foundation for lesson planning. These include:
- Textbooks: Popular ESL series like “New Headway,” “Face2Face,” or “English File” offer structured lessons, activities, and exercises.
- Grammar and vocabulary books: Titles like “Grammar for English Language Teachers” by Martin Parrott or “English Vocabulary in Use” by Cambridge are excellent references.
- Workbooks: These often accompany textbooks and provide additional practice exercises.
- Online platforms: Websites like British Council, BBC Learning English, or ESL Library offer downloadable worksheets, lesson plans, and interactive activities.
Add authentic materials
Authentic materials are real-world resources not specifically designed for teaching but can be adapted for the classroom. These include:
- Articles and news stories: From newspapers, magazines, or online sources like BBC News or The Guardian.
- Videos and podcasts: TED Talks, YouTube channels, or podcasts on topics of interest to learners.
- Songs and lyrics: Popular songs with clear lyrics can be used for listening practice or vocabulary building.
- Menus, brochures, and advertisements: Realia (real-life objects) that provide context for practical language use.
- Social media posts: Tweets, Instagram captions, or Facebook posts for informal language practice.
Create or adapt non-published materials
Non-published materials are resources you create or adapt to suit your learners’ needs. These include:
- Lesson plans: Templates and frameworks for different lesson types (e.g., grammar, speaking, or reading lessons).
- Worksheets: Custom exercises for grammar, vocabulary, or skills practice.
- Flashcards: For vocabulary, pronunciation, or grammar points.
- Games and activities: Role-plays, board games, or quizzes to make lessons interactive.
- PowerPoint presentations: Visual aids for presenting new language or concepts.
Leverage digital tools and apps
Digital resources can make lessons more engaging and interactive. Some popular tools include:
- Interactive platforms: Kahoot, Quizlet, or Quizizz for games and quizzes.
- Language learning apps: Duolingo, Memrise, or Babbel for supplementary practice.
- Video tools: Edpuzzle or Flipgrid for video-based activities.
- Collaboration tools: Google Docs, Padlet, or Jamboard for group work and brainstorming.
Collect visual and audio resources
Visual and audio aids are particularly useful for engaging learners and catering to different learning styles. These include:
- Images and photos: For vocabulary practice, storytelling, or discussion prompts.
- Infographics: For presenting information in a visually appealing way.
- Audio clips: Recordings of conversations, interviews, or speeches for listening practice.
- Pronunciation guides: IPA charts or audio examples for teaching sounds and intonation.
How to organize your resource bank
Once you’ve gathered your resources, organize them systematically for easy access:
- By skill: Separate materials for reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
- By language focus: Categorize resources for grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, or functional language.
- By level: Group materials by proficiency level (e.g., beginner, intermediate, advanced).
- By topic: Organize resources by themes like travel, work, or health.
Use folders (physical or digital) and labeling systems to keep everything tidy. Digital tools like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneNote can help you store and access resources efficiently.
A resource bank is not static—it should grow and evolve with your teaching experience. After each lesson, reflect on what worked and what didn’t, and add or remove materials accordingly. Seek feedback from tutors, peers, or students to identify gaps and improve your collection.
Conclusion
Building a resource bank is an ongoing process that requires time, effort, and creativity. However, the benefits far outweigh the investment. A well-stocked resource bank not only helps you deliver effective and engaging lessons during CELTA TP but also serves as a valuable toolkit throughout your teaching career. By adding a mix of commercially produced, authentic, and self-created materials, you’ll be prepared to tackle any teaching challenge with confidence and flexibility. Start building your resource bank today, and watch your teaching resourcefulness grow!
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