Second edition

Supplementary materials are books and other materials we can use in addition to the coursebook. They indude skills development materials, grammar, vocabulary and phonology practice materials, collections of communicative activities, teacher's resources and web materials. Supplementary materials may also come from authentic sources (e.g. newspaper and magazine articles, video, etc.). Some coursebook packages include supplementary materials and activities specially designed to fit the coursebook syllabus, and websites where you can download supplementary materials. We select supplementary materials and activities first by recognising that we need something different from the material in the coursebook, and then by knowing where to find the most appropriate kinds of material. We use supplementary materials and activities to provide something that is missing from the coursebook, to give learners extra practice, or just to bring something different to our lessons.
■ Key concepts
Make a list of all the different reasons you can think of for using supplementary materials and activit ies, and any advantages or disadvantages you think supplementary materials may have.
There are various reasons why we might want to use supplementary materials and activities. Some of the main reasons are as follows:
© to replace unsuitable material in the coursebook © to provide material missing from the coursebook 9 to provide suitable material for learners' particular needs and interests • to give learners extra language or skills practice & to add variety to our teaching.
Coursebooks are organised according to a syllabus, and they are often carefully graded {i.e. grammatical structures, vocabulary, skills, etc. are presented in a logical or dear sequence for learning), so that learners' knowledge of the language builds up step by step through the book. Supplementary materials and activities can provide variety in lessons and useful extra practice, but they are not always graded, so it is important to make sure that we choose the right materials and activities at the right time. The right materials and activities fit into the learners' programme, are suitable for the class and match the aims for particular lessons.
Here are some of the possible advantages and disadvantages of using various kinds of supplementary materials:


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Шрр1ШепШгу тШпаis		Possible disadvantages
Class library of readers	» encourages extensive reading/ reading for pleasure e gives learners confidence * allows learners to choose	s need for range of levels to suit different learners * content may not be motivating for older learners
Skills practice books	s focus on individual skills	* may not fit coursebook/ syllabus
Teacher’s resource books / downloadable worksheets	® new ideas for lessons	s may not suit lesson aims
Websites	* variety of lesson plans, teaching materials, other resources	? sometimes difficult to find the right material for the learners & school may not have enough computer stations * learners may not have computer skills
DVDs	® provide visual context source of cultural information show body language	s equipment may not always be available ® language may not be graded (suitable for the level of the learners)
Language practice books	® extra practice * learners can work alone without teacher's help	« repetitive exercises $ little or no context
Electronic materials	s motivation ® familiar technology for learners	s difficult for teacher to control how learners are working little or no human feedback
Carnes	« enjoyment © language practice	* may not be suitable for older learners « preparation may take a long time s classroom management may be complicated

■ Key concepts and the language teaching classroom
Reod these tips and tick the ones which are most important for you.
Selection of supplementary materials and activities
® Get to know what supplementary materials are available in your school. Use observation, a questionnaire or interviews for analysis of your learners' needs (see page 78) at the beginning of the course to find out. what you will want to add to the coursebook when you are planning your scheme of work.
• Supplementary language practice materials are not usually accompanied by