Geoff felt guilty about using ChatGPT to create his first drafts. It was the start of the project and he should be full of his own ideas. ‘I can fall back on AI tools once the publisher has stifled my… Read More ›
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Crusader of ELT Materials Writing: Part 3
Geoff was about halfway to the Tower of Hidden Commitments when he came across the commissioning editor again. He was tending to a vegetable patch in an allotment opposite his detached house in suburbia. ‘Hello there, Geoff! How are your… Read More ›
Crusader of ELT Materials Writing: Part 2
Geoff walked through the woods in search of the Tentacles of Target Markets. ‘This is a lot of effort’, Geoff muttered to himself, ‘an updated brief from the publisher would have sufficed.’ Then he remembered the first rule of brief… Read More ›
Crusader of ELT Materials Writing: Part 1
‘Right,’ exclaimed Geoff, ‘it’s time for another project with the Big Four’. He gave his kids a big hug – he was unlikely to spend quality time with them for a while. He apologized in advance to his wife for… Read More ›
Materials writing conversations #15: The Amusement Arcade
We’re off to the amusement arcade for publishers! Yes, it’s for amusement only…
Materials writing conversations #14: The Packager’s Price Is Right!
Completely imaginary. Host: Okay, let’s see who our next contestant is… Announcer: PETE, COME ON DOWN! Pete: OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG! *runs down from the studio audience* Host: Give him a big hand! Pete, you joined us with… Read More ›
Materials writing conversations #13: Brief creep
This is 100% made up.
Review: Off the Page
‘Off the Page: Activities to bring lessons alive and enhance learning’ (Thaine 2020) is a resource for practicing and trainee teachers. It aims to provide a range of activities which supplement and enhance coursebook-based provision – helping teachers to lift… Read More ›
Materials writing news and views, March 2023
Things I learnt yesterday: Happy Mother’s Day. New releases I haven’t done an update since January so there are tons of new releases! ABC Culture, Pearson Italia. Lower Secondary War of the Worlds Penguin Reader, A1, graphic novel style! Sounds… Read More ›
Embedded formative assessment (New Directions)
I was lucky enough to deliver a video presentation alongside Alan Pulverness (TransformELT) at New Directions East Asia conference. We introduce the concept of formative assessment, explain typical formative assessment strategies, and discuss some challenges in embedding such strategies in… Read More ›
ELT Planning 