Practical Teaching Resource Books
Here is a list of some of my favorite, go-to teaching resources.
Conversation
1000 Conversation Questions: Designed for Use in the ESL or EFL Classroom, by Larry Pitts
This book contains over 100 topics of great discussion material that can be integrated into any lesson plan. Ideal for Intermediate to Advanced levels.
Getting Beginners to Talk, by J. Wingate
Getting Beginners to Talk is a conversation book that introduces practical context to practice grammar structures. There are indexes for vocabulary, grammar and language functions to help the teacher identify the appropriate activities needed for the lesson. This book is organized into two parts: 1) Using the Material (tips and practicalities for teachers to consider as they implement activities in the classroom) and 2) Activities, Role Plays, Simulations and Discussions. The book aims to motivate and encourage beginning level students to speak with confidence, to aid the teacher with techniques and activities to get the students active in their language use and learning responsibility, and to supplement coursebooks with interesting and relevant grammar-focused material.
1000 Conversation Questions: Designed for Use in the ESL or EFL Classroom, by Larry Pitts
This book contains over 100 topics of great discussion material that can be integrated into any lesson plan. Ideal for Intermediate to Advanced levels.
Getting Beginners to Talk, by J. Wingate
Getting Beginners to Talk is a conversation book that introduces practical context to practice grammar structures. There are indexes for vocabulary, grammar and language functions to help the teacher identify the appropriate activities needed for the lesson. This book is organized into two parts: 1) Using the Material (tips and practicalities for teachers to consider as they implement activities in the classroom) and 2) Activities, Role Plays, Simulations and Discussions. The book aims to motivate and encourage beginning level students to speak with confidence, to aid the teacher with techniques and activities to get the students active in their language use and learning responsibility, and to supplement coursebooks with interesting and relevant grammar-focused material.
Culture
Tips for Teaching Culture: Practical Approaches to Intercultural Communication, by Ann C. Wintergerst and Joe McVeigh
This book contains topics and practical teaching ideas for teaching students about cultural awareness and communication. Topics include language, nonverbal communication, identity, culture shock and cross-cultural adjustment, social responsibility, and movies resources for teaching about intercultural communication.
Tips for Teaching Culture: Practical Approaches to Intercultural Communication, by Ann C. Wintergerst and Joe McVeigh
This book contains topics and practical teaching ideas for teaching students about cultural awareness and communication. Topics include language, nonverbal communication, identity, culture shock and cross-cultural adjustment, social responsibility, and movies resources for teaching about intercultural communication.
Grammar
Creative Questions: Lively Uses of the Interrogative, by Hess, N., & Pollard, L.
This book contains dozens of creative activities to get students asking and answering questions. Though not specifically a grammar reference, the activities are highly adaptable and require students at any level to practice grammar form, use and functions through creative conversations. For example, in an activity to practice verb tenses and vocabulary, students are given questions (or write their own) and mingle to ask one another about activities they did over the past weekend. Activities range from 10-60 minutes and many require little to no preparation for the teacher. The book’s format is clear and easy to use.
Exploring Grammar in Context, by Carter, R., Hughes, R., & McCarthy, M.
This book contains grammar reference and practice for upper-intermediate and advanced English students. This text has unique qualities for a grammar coursebook: corpus-based authentic language use, inductive teaching approach and discourse grammar. Though this is a student book, it contains a variety of traditional exercises (fill-in the blank, rewriting, cloze, multiple choice) which are easily adaptable for teachers to use in the classroom as supplemental material. It also contains activities that build learning strategies with an emphasis on awareness-raising and noticing language use. An answer key and reference notes make this useful for teacher preparation, and in-class or self-directed study.
Fun With Grammar, by Suzanne Woodward
A free, downloadable e-book with communicative activities designed to correspond with the Azar Grammar series. It contains authentic topics and situations, competitive and noncompetitive games, and communicative activities for all levels and grammar structures. There are both short and long activities for pairs, small group and whole class dynamics, making it ideal for warm-up exercises and practice activities.
Grammar Dictation, by Ruth Wajnryb
This book offers a thoughtful approach to grammar study using the dictogloss procedure. Dictogloss borrows from traditional dictation exercises but approaches lessons differently with aims to encourage students to use their productive grammar in a group task, to discover what they do and do not know about the language, and to refine their language use through rewrite, analysis and correction. The book provides a helpful introduction about how to do a dictogloss lesson, as well as lessons on various interesting topics for beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. The dictogloss method can also be used with other texts created by the teacher.
Grammar Games: Cognitive, Affective and Drama Activities for ESL Students, by Mario Rinvolucri
This photocopiable reference contains games to challenge and motivate English language students from beginner level and up to practice one or more grammar forms with unique activities. A variety of games are included to stir competition, collaboration, creativity, strategy development and awareness-raising. Some activities are inspired by traditional games such as Monopoly, Chutes and Ladders, Dominoes and Tic-tac-toe. This book, along with the second book More Grammar Games by Paul Davis and Mario Rinvolucri, aid an inductive approach to teaching grammar. Note: Some materials use British-English.
Grammar Practice Activities: A Practical Guide for Teachers, by Penny Ur
An indispensable resource for integrating grammar and Communicative Language Teaching. Includes interesting and relevant practice activities with clear instructions for teachers so you can quickly find and use what you need for your next grammar lesson. Appropriate for all ages and levels.
New Ways in Teaching Grammar, by M. Pennington
This book contains 85 tested grammar activities from ESL and EFL classrooms around the world. It is organized in major sections by grammar forms such as modal verbs and passive voice, as well for discourse-level practice with a section of questions and answers, and other general purpose grammar activities. Teachers will find creative and fun ideas to motivate their students to use grammar in authentic conversations. Appendices with sample resources for the activities are included, but generally require reproduction rather than photocopying. Activities are appropriate for students at all levels.
Practical English Usage, by Michael Swan
A thorough grammar reference guide for teachers and advanced learners. The explanations are clear and thorough with examples about usage and common mistakes. For example, what is the difference between hear and listen (to)? Do they mean the same thing? In what verb forms are they used? The book also includes a glossary of language terminology, a list of 130 common mistakes, current topics, and British-American differences. Every English language teacher should have this book in their bag of accessible supplies.
Real Grammar: A Corpus-Based Approach to English, by Susan Conrad & Douglas Biber
This textbook covers 50 language structures using authentic English found in conversations, fiction, newspapers and academic writing. Lessons are engaging and particularly interesting for students because they deal with language as it is really used in the world. For example, in a lesson on Reported Speech, students learn phrases such as "I'm all," "She's like," and "He goes" as colloquial alternatives to "said."
Understanding and Using English Grammar: Chartbook (4th ed.), by B. S. Azar & S. A. Hagen.
This handy reference contains diagrammatical charts of grammar forms and clearly written explanations and examples of their uses. It is useful for the teacher and for students of all levels as they seek to understand proper use and accuracy in English language forms. In addition to a focus on form, charts include information about pronunciation and spelling, with attention to differences between American and British English. For example, in the chapter on Subject-Verb Agreement, use, pronunciation and spelling of the final -s/-es ending is reviewed with multiple examples at the word and sentence level. This book can be used alone or in combination with Azar’s Workbook.
Creative Questions: Lively Uses of the Interrogative, by Hess, N., & Pollard, L.
This book contains dozens of creative activities to get students asking and answering questions. Though not specifically a grammar reference, the activities are highly adaptable and require students at any level to practice grammar form, use and functions through creative conversations. For example, in an activity to practice verb tenses and vocabulary, students are given questions (or write their own) and mingle to ask one another about activities they did over the past weekend. Activities range from 10-60 minutes and many require little to no preparation for the teacher. The book’s format is clear and easy to use.
Exploring Grammar in Context, by Carter, R., Hughes, R., & McCarthy, M.
This book contains grammar reference and practice for upper-intermediate and advanced English students. This text has unique qualities for a grammar coursebook: corpus-based authentic language use, inductive teaching approach and discourse grammar. Though this is a student book, it contains a variety of traditional exercises (fill-in the blank, rewriting, cloze, multiple choice) which are easily adaptable for teachers to use in the classroom as supplemental material. It also contains activities that build learning strategies with an emphasis on awareness-raising and noticing language use. An answer key and reference notes make this useful for teacher preparation, and in-class or self-directed study.
Fun With Grammar, by Suzanne Woodward
A free, downloadable e-book with communicative activities designed to correspond with the Azar Grammar series. It contains authentic topics and situations, competitive and noncompetitive games, and communicative activities for all levels and grammar structures. There are both short and long activities for pairs, small group and whole class dynamics, making it ideal for warm-up exercises and practice activities.
Grammar Dictation, by Ruth Wajnryb
This book offers a thoughtful approach to grammar study using the dictogloss procedure. Dictogloss borrows from traditional dictation exercises but approaches lessons differently with aims to encourage students to use their productive grammar in a group task, to discover what they do and do not know about the language, and to refine their language use through rewrite, analysis and correction. The book provides a helpful introduction about how to do a dictogloss lesson, as well as lessons on various interesting topics for beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. The dictogloss method can also be used with other texts created by the teacher.
Grammar Games: Cognitive, Affective and Drama Activities for ESL Students, by Mario Rinvolucri
This photocopiable reference contains games to challenge and motivate English language students from beginner level and up to practice one or more grammar forms with unique activities. A variety of games are included to stir competition, collaboration, creativity, strategy development and awareness-raising. Some activities are inspired by traditional games such as Monopoly, Chutes and Ladders, Dominoes and Tic-tac-toe. This book, along with the second book More Grammar Games by Paul Davis and Mario Rinvolucri, aid an inductive approach to teaching grammar. Note: Some materials use British-English.
Grammar Practice Activities: A Practical Guide for Teachers, by Penny Ur
An indispensable resource for integrating grammar and Communicative Language Teaching. Includes interesting and relevant practice activities with clear instructions for teachers so you can quickly find and use what you need for your next grammar lesson. Appropriate for all ages and levels.
New Ways in Teaching Grammar, by M. Pennington
This book contains 85 tested grammar activities from ESL and EFL classrooms around the world. It is organized in major sections by grammar forms such as modal verbs and passive voice, as well for discourse-level practice with a section of questions and answers, and other general purpose grammar activities. Teachers will find creative and fun ideas to motivate their students to use grammar in authentic conversations. Appendices with sample resources for the activities are included, but generally require reproduction rather than photocopying. Activities are appropriate for students at all levels.
Practical English Usage, by Michael Swan
A thorough grammar reference guide for teachers and advanced learners. The explanations are clear and thorough with examples about usage and common mistakes. For example, what is the difference between hear and listen (to)? Do they mean the same thing? In what verb forms are they used? The book also includes a glossary of language terminology, a list of 130 common mistakes, current topics, and British-American differences. Every English language teacher should have this book in their bag of accessible supplies.
Real Grammar: A Corpus-Based Approach to English, by Susan Conrad & Douglas Biber
This textbook covers 50 language structures using authentic English found in conversations, fiction, newspapers and academic writing. Lessons are engaging and particularly interesting for students because they deal with language as it is really used in the world. For example, in a lesson on Reported Speech, students learn phrases such as "I'm all," "She's like," and "He goes" as colloquial alternatives to "said."
Understanding and Using English Grammar: Chartbook (4th ed.), by B. S. Azar & S. A. Hagen.
This handy reference contains diagrammatical charts of grammar forms and clearly written explanations and examples of their uses. It is useful for the teacher and for students of all levels as they seek to understand proper use and accuracy in English language forms. In addition to a focus on form, charts include information about pronunciation and spelling, with attention to differences between American and British English. For example, in the chapter on Subject-Verb Agreement, use, pronunciation and spelling of the final -s/-es ending is reviewed with multiple examples at the word and sentence level. This book can be used alone or in combination with Azar’s Workbook.
Methodology & Professional Development
Classroom Observation Tasks, by Ruth Wajnryb
This book is excellent for teachers or teaching teams who are interested in honing their craft in the teaching process. Thirty-five tasks focus on seven areas of teaching: the learner, the language, the learning process, the lesson, teaching skills and strategies, classroom management, and materials and resources. Practice critical observation of teachers and classroom issues, and discover productive ways to improve your instruction.
Practical English Language Teaching, edited by David Nunan
This methodology textbook is an excellent introduction to ESL teaching for those who have not been formally trained. It gives helpful direction for teaching skill development (RWLS) and language features (pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, discourse), using content-based instruction, choosing texts and materials, integrating technology, and developing autonomous learners. It also contains many practical teaching activities and applications for the classroom.
Teaching By Principles: An Interactive Approach to Language Pedagogy, by H. Douglas Brown
This methodology textbook is foundational to ESL instruction. I used this in one of my MA TESOL courses and still find it invaluable for a quick reference on teaching specific skills, second language acquisition theory, term reference, and practical teaching activities. When I want a refresher about what English language teaching can and should look like, I go to this book. It is easy to read and contains a ton of important references for both theory and application.
Classroom Observation Tasks, by Ruth Wajnryb
This book is excellent for teachers or teaching teams who are interested in honing their craft in the teaching process. Thirty-five tasks focus on seven areas of teaching: the learner, the language, the learning process, the lesson, teaching skills and strategies, classroom management, and materials and resources. Practice critical observation of teachers and classroom issues, and discover productive ways to improve your instruction.
Practical English Language Teaching, edited by David Nunan
This methodology textbook is an excellent introduction to ESL teaching for those who have not been formally trained. It gives helpful direction for teaching skill development (RWLS) and language features (pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, discourse), using content-based instruction, choosing texts and materials, integrating technology, and developing autonomous learners. It also contains many practical teaching activities and applications for the classroom.
Teaching By Principles: An Interactive Approach to Language Pedagogy, by H. Douglas Brown
This methodology textbook is foundational to ESL instruction. I used this in one of my MA TESOL courses and still find it invaluable for a quick reference on teaching specific skills, second language acquisition theory, term reference, and practical teaching activities. When I want a refresher about what English language teaching can and should look like, I go to this book. It is easy to read and contains a ton of important references for both theory and application.
Miscellaneous
Five-Minute Activities: A Resource Book of Short Activities, by Penny Ur and Andrew Wright
Keep this book handy in your teaching bag for useful, effective, low-prep activities to help students practice a variety of language skills and get to know fellow classmates. Each activity includes a clear objective(s), preparation (if any), procedures, and variations to consider. Appropriate for all ages and levels.
Five-Minute Activities: A Resource Book of Short Activities, by Penny Ur and Andrew Wright
Keep this book handy in your teaching bag for useful, effective, low-prep activities to help students practice a variety of language skills and get to know fellow classmates. Each activity includes a clear objective(s), preparation (if any), procedures, and variations to consider. Appropriate for all ages and levels.
Technology
How to Teach English with Technology, by Gavin Dudeney and Nicky Hockly
For those interested in Technology-Enhanced Language Learning, this is an excellent resource! It contains case studies and ideas about how to incorporate different technological tools and learning strategies into classroom lessons. Learn more about tech for each of the language skills, vocabulary and grammar development. With today's access to smartphones, tablets, computers, and internet resources, it is so easy to engage and motivate students with tech-infused lessons.
How to Teach English with Technology, by Gavin Dudeney and Nicky Hockly
For those interested in Technology-Enhanced Language Learning, this is an excellent resource! It contains case studies and ideas about how to incorporate different technological tools and learning strategies into classroom lessons. Learn more about tech for each of the language skills, vocabulary and grammar development. With today's access to smartphones, tablets, computers, and internet resources, it is so easy to engage and motivate students with tech-infused lessons.
Vocabulary
Teaching Vocabulary: Strategies and Techniques, by I.S.P. Nation
This resource contains over 60 teaching techniques to help students intentionally develop their receptive and productive vocabularies through listening, speaking, reading and writing. In the appendix, academic and GSL word lists, vocabulary size tests, and vocabulary levels tests are particularly useful for helping students figure out how much they know and how much they need to know as they pursue their language goals.
Vocabulary Activities, by Penny Ur
Interesting and highly educational vocabulary activities to supplement teaching and help students acquire, develop and expand their English vocabulary. Activities are adaptable for different themes and contexts, and are arranged by category: Vocabulary expansion, Vocabulary review, Advanced vocabulary study, Vocabulary testing, Mainly for fun. Appropriate for all ages and levels.
Word Knowledge: A Vocabulary Teacher's Handbook, by Cheryl Boyd Zimmerman
What do you need to know in order to really know a word? This book helps teachers identify and integrate various features of word knowledge such as meaning, collocations, grammatical features, word parts and appropriateness into lessons so students are aware and intentional in their word studies. This book is clear, practical and critical for any language teacher.
Teaching Vocabulary: Strategies and Techniques, by I.S.P. Nation
This resource contains over 60 teaching techniques to help students intentionally develop their receptive and productive vocabularies through listening, speaking, reading and writing. In the appendix, academic and GSL word lists, vocabulary size tests, and vocabulary levels tests are particularly useful for helping students figure out how much they know and how much they need to know as they pursue their language goals.
Vocabulary Activities, by Penny Ur
Interesting and highly educational vocabulary activities to supplement teaching and help students acquire, develop and expand their English vocabulary. Activities are adaptable for different themes and contexts, and are arranged by category: Vocabulary expansion, Vocabulary review, Advanced vocabulary study, Vocabulary testing, Mainly for fun. Appropriate for all ages and levels.
Word Knowledge: A Vocabulary Teacher's Handbook, by Cheryl Boyd Zimmerman
What do you need to know in order to really know a word? This book helps teachers identify and integrate various features of word knowledge such as meaning, collocations, grammatical features, word parts and appropriateness into lessons so students are aware and intentional in their word studies. This book is clear, practical and critical for any language teacher.