1. Why do we evaluate materials?
We carry out systematic evaluations of materials currently in use in order to find out to what degree and why they (do not) facilitate language learning so that we can identify the popular and successful features of existing materials, which will help us to produce better materials.
We evaluate existing materials with a view to choosing suitable materials for language programmes.
We evaluate the materials that we have already chosen or that have been chosen for us so that we can adapt the materials in order to make them better suit the needs of the students and the needs of teaching.
We also evaluate the materials produced by ourselves so that necessary revision can be made.
2. Principles in materials evaluation
There are two principles in materials evaluation: effectiveness and efficiency (Ellis 1998 in Tomlinson 1998).
Effectiveness principle: Is a course book effective in meeting the needs of the learners? To answer this question, the evaluator needs to compare what the learners knew and were able to do before they used the course book with what they know and are able to do after they have used the book.
Efficiency principle: Does a course book meet the needs of the learners more effectively than some alternative course books? To investigate efficiency, it is necessary to compare the learning gains evidenced by using one course book with the gains evidenced by another course book.
We carry out systematic evaluations of materials currently in use in order to find out to what degree and why they (do not) facilitate language learning so that we can identify the popular and successful features of existing materials, which will help us to produce better materials.
We evaluate existing materials with a view to choosing suitable materials for language programmes.
We evaluate the materials that we have already chosen or that have been chosen for us so that we can adapt the materials in order to make them better suit the needs of the students and the needs of teaching.
We also evaluate the materials produced by ourselves so that necessary revision can be made.
2. Principles in materials evaluation
There are two principles in materials evaluation: effectiveness and efficiency (Ellis 1998 in Tomlinson 1998).
Effectiveness principle: Is a course book effective in meeting the needs of the learners? To answer this question, the evaluator needs to compare what the learners knew and were able to do before they used the course book with what they know and are able to do after they have used the book.
Efficiency principle: Does a course book meet the needs of the learners more effectively than some alternative course books? To investigate efficiency, it is necessary to compare the learning gains evidenced by using one course book with the gains evidenced by another course book.