270 UNIT 7

2. Why Assess Materials ?

There are different and varied reasons for materials assessment. Here aresome of them:

to select a new coursebook to use, which is a major and frequent reason forevaluation;

to identify particular strengths and weakness in coursebooks already inuse, so that teachers could make most of the strong points and/or couldstrengthen the weaker parts of the coursebook by adapting, adding orsubstituting materials from other sources. This type of evaluation is doneby comparison with other coursebooks, therefore a standard procedure anda common set of criteria should be applied;

to enhance teacher development by giving teachers useful insights into thenature of different materials ;

to promote a range of published materials.

3. Principles in Assessing Materials

3.1. General Principles

In assessing materials we have to bear in mind some general principles. Here isa list of such principles :

suitability to age/level student-centredness balance of skills/tasks educational values clear organisation and clarity

of instructions continuity

accessibility flexibility variety appropriacy to the context learner autonomy authenticity gradual progress

1. Hiked2. I didn't like3. I wish4. I think there shou

3.2.1. Learner Needs

3.2.2. Language Use

SAQ 2: Write the definition for each of these in your log.i Check your definitions against the version in the answer section.