When I first started teaching English in South Korea, back in 2005, I was unaware of teaching material. It was during a period when teaching in South Korea required the use of an undergraduate degree in any subject, a passport from a choice of English speaking countries (dictated no less by the Ministry of Education and the Korean authorities), and a passion to educate.
At no time did I consider getting any books to help with my language teaching – I earned my stripes learning what worked or what hadn’t with my students. I sincerely apologise all my Korean students from my ineptness as I experimented, failed (more often than not), and persevered. However, one advice that I have for anyone wanting to consider English Language Teaching, either online or face-to-face, is to invest in a small collection of books. It would certainly help in developing greater confidence within the teaching industry.
In this blog post, I share ten essential books all new English teachers need to succeed in the life of us such educators, and I still use them to this day. These books are not in any particular order, and would recommend them all if you can get them. Feel free to share what books should make the list in the comments, either in the video below or within this blog post.
1. Learning Teaching
The first book on my list is Learning Teaching authored by Jim Scrivener and published by Macmillan Education. I first came across this book when I was taking the CELTA Course at the British Council in Seoul. Since purchasing it back in 2007, it has been updated to include a DVD which offers readers more than merely reading the book – it offers some suggestion about how best to practise what has been recommended.
The book is not only essentially a guide for those new to English teaching, as I still refer to it from time to time, but it certainly helps for those that are considering doing a CELTA or an equivalent English teaching certificate. Within the book itself, there is a lot of practical and invaluable information about how to teach speaking or listening skills for language learners.
2. The Practice of English Language Teaching
The second book is The Practice of English Language Teaching by Jeremy Harmer but to be honest I hadn’t purchased this until I took my Diploma in English language teaching, back in 2011. Nonetheless, the current version that I have, the fourth edition, and has been updated since, which is certainly invaluable.
Much like the previously recommended book, my version (and I assume future editions) of The Practice of English Language Teaching includes a DVD of demonstrations of in-class teaching with real teachers and their reflections. It makes a good attempt for the reader, much like the previous book, to truly understand the intricacies of language teaching and education. I am unsure whether the latest editions include recommendations for teaching English online but it would be a worthwhile if this has not been the case. However, overall, there are many practical tips and advice that could be incorporated for those that just need a little more assistance, with many being transferable for the online classroom.
3. Teaching English Grammar: What to Teach and How to Teach it
This publication, Teaching English Grammar: What to Teach and How to Teach it, would have been incredibly invaluable while I was undertaking the CELTA Course but unfortunately it had first been published in 2010. I cannot believe this book is now 15 years old, but it is a fantastic resource, both for new and experienced teachers.
The book includes 70 chapters with individual components of grammar, ranging from possessives to conditional forms. Within each of the 70 chapters, the form is included (i.e., how to construct the given grammar point), how to present or introduce the grammar point, in context, to students, suggested practice activities for students to use specific grammar form, concept checking questions (CCQs), meaning and use, pronunciation (if required), and particular points to be aware of (i.e., mistakes students may make with the grammar). All this would have been invaluable for the CELTA Course, particularly when a trainee has to analyse language as part of their tasks.
4. Practical English Usage
Fourth on my recommended list is none other than what is recommended to all budding English teachers, Practical English Usage by Michael Swan, and this publication was also recommended reading for the CELTA Course. There is obviously a good reason why such books are required reading for the CELTA and it also provides some reference for how language is used, with hundreds of entries included in alphabetical order – it is essentially a dictionary of English usage.
This book also helps to plan lessons based around particular elements of language, not just the grammar. For example, one entry in Practical English Usage includes the phrase after all and looking at the entry in the book, it suggests a meaning to the phrase, the usage and location, and how it is not used in English. So a teacher, who is looking at introducing the phrase to students will have a good idea about the meaning and location, with the teacher only needing to come up with some speaking or written task to further reinforce such language. It truly is another book that I could not live without.
5. Grammar for English Language Teachers
We are now half way in the list with number five being Grammar for English Language Teachers by Martin Parrott. This is very similar to Practical English Usage with it being a reference book for English language teachers, yet solely for English grammar but not in the sense that you would expect. For example, the book is divided into five different chapters which look at elements of grammar; Words, More about verbs and related forms, Sentence constituents and word order, Complex sentences, and Researching language.
It certainly aids the language teacher understand the English language and how it functions in a grammatical sense, with each chapter building upon the previous. It is ideal for the English teacher as it helps them comprehend the language that they are teaching, in a very simple manner. Furthermore, the book helps teachers plan lessons, and when combined with Practical English Usage, which deviate away from dry grammatical examples.
6. Classroom Management Techniques
The sixth publication that I would recommend English teachers to consider purchasing is Classroom Management Techniques, with it, once again, being written by Jim Scrivener. For those first starting out or those with limited experience in English teaching, classroom management can be a daunting subject to unravel. Things that come to mind with classroom management could be the disruptions or distractions that occur during the lessons which could immediately impact on learning. However, there is a lot more to classroom management that meets the eye and this publication brings such aspects to the fore.
Classroom Management Techniques was published in 2012, after I had successfully completed the CELTA Course in 2007, but much of the advice and recommendations included in the publication could be useful for readers no matter their experience. For example, if I have issues with student engagement during lessons, I have a quick read of Classroom Management Techniques for inspiration. Then look at a variety of things to adjust which could include reflecting on the classroom layout, my role as a teacher, how I use the space, all of which is included in this book. Ideal for those all teachers are looking at developing their skills as English language teachers.
7. Planning Lessons and Courses
The next book recommended for teachers is Planning Lessons and Courses, as part of the Cambridge Handbook for Language Teachers, which is idea for those teachers that are expected to plan this as such, and was authored by Tessa Woodward. I purchased this book a number of years ago when I was given more responsibility to plan or organise courses, whether it was IELTS exam preparation, young learner short intensive English courses, as well as academic courses now in South Korea. It has certainly helped me and I believe it could help you too.
The book is divided into eight chapters, which start from getting the reader to consider the students, and continue helping by considering how long lessons are, what can be included within lessons, as well as freedoms and constraints from the course. Although aimed at language teachers, there is a lot included in this resource for readers to help them consider for courses outside the remit of language education. For example, when I was asked to create a course aimed at writing and presentation skills for English speaking students in higher education, I referred to Planning Lessons and Courses to help. Nonetheless, this particular resource will certainly helped new and experienced English teachers plan courses or decide on the overall structure of a course.
8. Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching
The eighth book that was another resource which I purchased post-CELTA was Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching by Jack Richards and Theodore Rodgers. It is now in its third edition as a publication, and I originally had bought the book as part of my post-graduate course to give me some idea about the history of approaches and methods in language teaching as background reading for my MA dissertation. Nonetheless, the more I read this publication, the more that I learnt about the history of language teaching and how each approach or method evolved over time.
I usually use Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching as a reference to gain potential inspiration about how to experiment with my language teaching and reflect upon how successful it had been. This can ensure that lessons could potentially be more engaging for students, rather than just follow the typical PPP (presentation, production, practice) approach, which can get very monotonous for both teachers and learners. This book is highly recommended for teachers wanting to experiment beyond the comforts of methods and approaches taught just within the CELTA.
9. The Book of Pronunciation
One element of teaching which filled me doubt and dread, in equal measures, was pronunciation. It took around ten years before I even attempted to focus on this skill in the classroom but I was pleased to have had the support from Peter Clements, from ELT Planning, who persuaded me to consider getting out of my comfort zone and introducing me to The Book of Pronunciation, written by Jonathan Marks and Tim Bowen and published by DELTA Publishing. As with other books by the same publisher, the book is organised into three key chapters which help the reader.
The Book of Pronunciation incorporates practical that teachers could incorporate into the classroom, with such lesson ideas including word stress, intonation, elision or raising student awareness of the phonemic chart. To be honest, I have no idea why I felt so uncomfortable about teaching pronunciation but this book certainly has helped. All practical ideas would raise confidence when focusing on this aspect of English teaching, and it would also aid your students at feeling more comfortable with pronunciation.
10. Penny Ur’s 100 Teaching Tips
The final book in this list, is Penny Ur’s 100 Teaching Tips by Cambridge University Press and again part of the Cambridge Handbook for Language Teachers. It was published in 2016 – I can’t believe it has now been 9 years – and it is a wonderfully light read for English teachers but focuses on different elements of teaching; beginning and ending lessons, discipline, grammar, and writing to name just a few. It is amazing to think that Penny Ur has shared her lifetime of teaching wisdom and insight in such a short publication.
During times of reflection, opening Penny Ur’s 100 Teaching Tips offers some ideas about the practical aspects of teaching which you may not consider and I have started to review and incorporate recommendations within the book, especially after starting my employment again in South Korea. If you are stuck for ideas about how best to incorporate homework or written work in the classroom. Sometimes, it is good to go back to the drawing board and consider new elements to engage learners and this book helps achieve this.
Conclusion
Thank you so much for getting to the end of this post. If you have recommended books that are you go-to resource for teachers, then feel free to share in the comments. It would be great to know what you consider are invaluable.
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