Didactics and language learning

resources

According to Oerbaek (2008), the term “didactics” originates

from the Greek Didaskein, which means to teach, to educate.

In EFL, didactics is a major component of teacher education

because it revolves around the answers to the questions
“what”, “how”, and “why”.

Navarro and Piñeiro (2012) define didactics as the discipline

that studies techniques, procedures, strategies, and methods
to enhance the teaching process for students to approach in a
wide, deep, and significant way knowledge… (p. 234).
 Didactics and language learning
resources
John Amos Comenius (The great didactic)

The proper education of the young does not consist in stuffing

their heads with a mass of words, sentences, and ideas dragged
together out of various authors, but in opening up their
understanding to the outer world, so that a living stream may
flow from their own minds, just as leaves, flowers, and fruit
spring from the bud on a tree.
 Language learning resources

Managing resources: equipment and teaching aids

How Ts can use different resources to make lessons more interesting and
effective.
• The board
• The OHP
• Visuals
• Worksheets & workcards
• The Cassette recorder (The CD player)
• Video
• Computers
• The photocopier

Published materials: coursebooks, skills books, readers, supplementary books,

references books, resources books, CALL.

Authentic materials: theater programs, newspapers, magazines, songs,

brochures, info. leaflets, menus, news broadcasts, films, etc.

(Gower, Walters & Philips, 2005)

 Language learning resources
Materials and resources for ELT (Trujillo, Torrecillas &
Salvadores, 2004)

Audio and visual

• The blackboard resources • Physical setting
• Visual aids • The internet
• The OHP
• The textbook • Off-line use
• The audio player
• Hand-made • On-line use
materials • The video player
and camera
ICT in the
Traditional
teaching of
resources
English
Language learning resources

(Harmer, 2004, pp. 175-176).

 Language learning resources
•Students themselves.

•Objects, pictures, and things: realia, pictures, cards, cuisenaire rods.

•The coursebook

•Ways of showing: the board, the OHP, the flip chart, computer-based
presentation technology.

•Ways of listening: CDs, MP3

•Ways of finding out: dictionaries, concordances, the internet.

•Ways of composing: word processing/editing, mousepals, chat, blogging,

authoring, website design.

•Virtual learning: from emails to simulated environments.

(Harmer, 2004, pp. 176-194).
 Language learning resources

RESOURCES ACTIVITIES

Students Thoughts – Experiences

Realia Stimulators / Evocative objects
Pictures Drills / Games / Understanding / Ornamentation /
Prediction / Discussion
Cards Matching and ordering / Selecting / Card games
Cuisenaire rods Word stress / Structures / Prepositions
Coursebook Omit and replace / Change: add, rewrite, replace,
reorder, reduce.
The board Note-pad / Explanation aid / Picture frame / public
workbook / game board / Notice board

(Harmer, 2004)
 Language learning resources
RESOURCES ACTIVITIES

OHP Grammar exercises, pictures, diagrams, gradual

work.
The flip chart Making notes, recording main points, group work.
Computer-based Computer and data projector, PowerPoint, IWB.
presentation
Dictionaries Paper dictionaries (bilingual or monolingual), CD-
ROMs, electronic pocket dictionaries, online
dictionaries.
Concordances Word research and vocabulary exploration.
The internet References, encyclopedias, webquests.
Composing Word processing/editing, keypals, chatting,
blogging, authoring (hot potatoes), websites
(Google sites)

(Harmer, 2004)
 Language learning resources
The role of materials in the language classroom (Crawford,
2002) - Attitudes

Debilitating crutch: Ts reduce Helpful scaffold: Materials as

to classroom technicians and guides and negotiating points.
implementers.
O’Neill (1982): Uniqueness of the Loewenberg-Nall and Feiman-Nenser
class cannot be met. (1988): Assist inexperienced Ts.

Allwright (1981): Make decisions Donoghue (1992): Source of info and

for Ts and Ss. support for experienced Ts.

Nunan (1989): Fail to provide Hutchinson and Torres (1994):

authentic models. - Agent for change: training, guidance,
collegial support, clear picture.
Walts (1989): Fail to contextualize. - A structuring tool = social routinisation
reduces unpredictability and unfamiliarity.
Apple (1992): Materials are not - A useful map: Negotiation,
neutral. accountability, and orientation.
 Language learning resources

Resource What? How? Why?

The learner
The board
Visuals
Worksheets and
workcards
Computers
References
Crawford, J. (2002). Role of materials in language classroom: Finding the
balance. In J. Richards & W. Renandya (eds), Anthology of current practice
(pp. 84-87). Australia: Cambridge University Press.
Harmer, J. (2004). The practice of English language teaching (4th edition).
USA: Pearson Longman.
Gower, R., Walters, S., & Phillips, D. (2005). Teaching Practice: A Handbook
for Teachers in Training. Oxford: Macmillan education.
Navarro, D., & Piñeiro, M. (2012). Didactic strategies for teaching English as a
foreign language in seventh and eighth grades in secondary schools in
Costa Rica. Káñina, Revista de Artes y Letras, Univ. Costa Rica, 36(2),
233-251.
Oerbaek, K. (2009). Didactics and didactisizing. (Unpublished PhD’s
dissertation). University of Southern Denmark-Odense, Denmark.
Trujillo, F., Torrecilla, J., & Salvadores, C. (2004). Materials and resources for
ELT. In D. Madrid & N. McLaren (Eds) TEFL in Primary Education (pp.
310-339). Granada: Editorial Universidad de Granada.