Book Recommendations
Find resources that Teacher Ryane uses in her classes and cites in her blogs.
Books for New ESL Teachers
WHAT'S THIS THING CALLED LANGUAGE?
By: David Nunan
2013
This book by David Nunan is a great read. It's an excellent summary of all the terms, concepts, and research that new teachers need. When we put terms behind ideas, then it is easier to discuss them. I wish I had this book the first year I taught ESL. I wasn't ready for research articles, but I was eager to learn. This book would have been revolutionary! After I had taught for 4 years, I read this book and found some very useful information.
THE ART OF TEACHING SPEAKING
By: Keith Folse
2006
When I read this book, I had been a teacher for a few years. Somehow, I hadn't yet taught a class solely dedicated to speaking. I told my boss that I could do it, although I hadn't done it before. That week I searched the web for books and ordered this one. I read it in one weekend! I was so excited to try out some of these activities.
When I began to use these techniques in my classroom, I saw real engagement from my students. I watched language breakdown (in a good way), and I found new things to teach my students. It is a book that I still use today.
Reference Books
TEACHING PRONUNCIATION- A COURSE BOOK AND REFERENCE GUIDE
By: Marianne Celce-Murcia, Donna M. Brinton, Janet M. Goodwin with Barry Griner
2015
This book is truly a masterpiece. As long as I teach ESL, this book will be on my shelf. I have found nothing in all of my reading that matches the thoroughness or thoughtfulness of this text. It goes through all applicable elements of teaching pronunciation. It has special notes to teachers about specific languages, tricks to face challenges, and actual worksheet examples. When you finish reading this book, you feel ready to teach. It is a book I refer to again and again.
THE GRAMMAR BOOK- AN ESL/EFL TEACHER'S COURSE
By: Marianne Celce-Murcia and Diane Larsen-Freeman
1999
I've had the privilege of working with some seasoned ESL teachers. I am always impressed with their knowledge of language and their ability to answer questions. This book is like working with a colleague that has a PhD in linguistics. I have yet to have a question that this book couldn't answer. I know there are countless websites about grammar, but instead of googling, I reach for this book. There are some terms that I was unfamiliar with, but I enjoyed the challenge while reading. I've even found notes in this book about what grammar patterns students from different language backgrounds find difficult and why. All 800 pages are gold. If you are determined to teach ESL for sometime, I would invest in this book.
Grammar Books
THE GRAMMAR GUIDE: DEVELOPING LANGUAGE SKILLS FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS
By: Nancy M. Ackles
2003
When you teach ESL you have to talk the talk, so you can walk the walk. New ESL teachers can be easily overwhelmed by all the terminology necessary to teach effectively. When I was assigned a advanced grammar course to teach, I started reaching for support materials to help inform my teaching. Although this book was written for advanced ESL students, there are excellent explanations about the function of grammatical forms. The lists are not overwhelming and the book focuses on common problems.
TEACHING GRAMMAR IN SECOND LANGUAGE CLASSROOMS: INTEGRATING FORM-FOCUSED INSTRUCTION IN COMMUNICATIVE CONTEXT
By: Hossein Nassaji and Sandra Fotos
2011
Warning: This book in not a light read. You will not feel butterflies as you thumb through the pages. However, you will feel equipped to strategize about your own teaching. This book was written to train teachers about integrating form focused instruction in a communicative context. I've had so many students that can tell me about a grammar concept, but they have no idea when to use it. Students need to understand the depth behind the grammar, and this book will challenge the way you approach grammar class!