New ESL teacher

[N.Carolina]

I'm a former Spanish teacher making the switch to teaching ESL for the first time. The school that has hired me doesn't have a textbook for their levels of ESL. I'd like to have something to follow to know how to teach the grammar especially since I have never taught it before. Can anyone recommend a good ESL textbook for adult learners? I prefer one with a communicative approach that has interactive activities for students. From what I have seen on amazon and other sites, there aren't many good textbooks out there. Or am I just missing them? Please respond if you can help! Thank you!

[oregeezer]

Probably one of the best grammar books is Essential Grammar In Use by Raymond Murphy 2nd Ed. (ISBN 0 521 55928 6 with answers)

[N.Carolina]

Thanks for your post! I appreciate your input. I'll check that one out.

[Tdol]

Textbooks are IMO much of a muchness. There's so much available on the web that there seems little need to me to stick to a single book. Here are some sites offering materials: Lesson Plans and Worksheets - ESL Web Directory - UsingEnglish.com

[Heads Up English]

I've used the Headway series quite often, and a few other books by Oxford (Business Basics, Quickwork). I seem to have found the most success with these. There always is enough there, but each section easily allows reinforcement and extension activities.

One good point of a textbook is the structure it gives. Although you will likely be able to construct solid lessons, all the lessons have to tie together so that students are reusing earlier language points again and again. A good textbooks has been designed with this in mind.

Good luck!

Chris Cotter
Heads Up English - Just print and teach!
Heads Up English

[Mr_K]

The best texbook for adults I have ever seen and worked with is by MacMillan Publishing House Inside Out from beginner - advanced. I really strongly recomend it.

[Tdol]

Originally Posted by Heads Up English

I've used the Headway series quite often, and a few other books by Oxford (Business Basics, Quickwork). I seem to have found the most success with these. There always is enough there, but each section easily allows reinforcement and extension activities.

Mind you, one problem with Headway is that it is so widely used you may find people have already done it, and it may be seen where the OP is as a bit old hat.

[Heads Up English]

Originally Posted by Tdol

Mind you, one problem with Headway is that it is so widely used you may find people have already done it, and it may be seen where the OP is as a bit old hat.

Good point, and I agree. One student in a small class had used the Headway book, so I adapted and extended more of the activities than normal. That allowed me to challenge him and keep him interested. Yet I wouldn't not choose a textbook based on fears that some students have used it before. The key with any book is to adjust and adapt so as to personalize it to the needs of the class, I think.

Finding the right textbook is always hard, mostly because you don't fully know the capabilities of the students until the third or fourth lesson.

Chris Cotter
Heads Up English - Just print and teach!
Heads Up English