Should TEFL Teachers Use Coursebooks in Every Lesson? – S07E03

What should you do when a student is right and you’re wrong? How much should teachers remember about their learners? And are coursebooks useful—or are they destined to become expensive doorstops?In S07E03 of How to English TEFL Podcast, Gav and Em discuss the everyday decisions, surprises and awkward moments that make teaching English so interesting.Gav shares how he adapted a coursebook page to teach anywhere, anyone and anything, while Em explains what she has learned from teaching specialist Medical English. They compare British and American pronunciations of saline, consider how remembering personal details can build rapport, and discuss how teachers should respond when they make mistakes.They also explore the difference between new and long-running classes, why needs analysis should continue throughout a course, and how a new learner can bring fresh energy to an established group. Finally, Gav and Em debate whether coursebooks are useful, how teachers can cherry-pick and adapt them, and whether a yawn means a lesson has failed.☕ Support How to English TEFL Podcast on Ko-fi:https://ko-fi.com/howtoenglishpodWebsite https://howtoenglishpod.wordpress.com/Episode timestamps00:00 Welcome and hungry ears01:00 Teaching anywhere, anyone and anything03:00 Adapting and rearranging a coursebook lesson05:00 Teaching specialist Medical English06:00 British and American pronunciation of saline07:00 Remembering personal details about students10:00 Using lesson notes and online chat to remember vocabulary12:00 What to do when a student is right and the teacher is wrong13:00 Checking sources and correcting mistakes15:00 New classes versus established classes18:00 Keeping long-running classes fresh19:00 Continuing needs analysis throughout a course20:00 Asking learners what they want to study22:00 Preparing students to bring topics to class23:00 New students joining established groups24:00 Correcting new learners without embarrassing them25:00 Seeing long-term learners’ progress through fresh eyes26:00 Are coursebooks a waste of time?28:00 Why some learners say they do not want a coursebook29:00 Cherry-picking coursebook units for learner needs30:00 Using books as structure and support31:00 Choosing what is right for each class31:30 Does a yawn mean the lesson has failed?34:00 Support the podcast and closing thoughts