British Council shares a number of downloadable books on its website. Books on professional development, ELT research and resource packs for teachers are available in pdf format to download. Here is the list of the books I suggest for reading. I will give brief information about each book. For more downloadable books please visit the British Council webpage.
Resource Books for Teachers
Tell it Again! The Storytelling Handbook for Primary English Language Teachers by Gail Ellis and Jean Brewster
This resource book for teachers of young learners is divided into two sections: Methodology and teacher notes on stories. In the methodology section, teachers are informed about how to select a story, use a story-based methodology, create activities, develop language learning skills of learners and manage the classroom during storytelling. In the second part of the book, teachers are presented with ready-made lesson plans with photocopiable materials for 12 stories. Some of the stories are shared in the book so teachers and just copy and use them in their classrooms. There are detailed notes instructing teachers how to use each story in the classroom. Plus, teachers are provided with various types of tasks and materials ranging from puzzles to board games, puppets to songs and flashcards to bingo games.
BritLit: Using Literature in EFL Classrooms
BritLit is one of my favourite sections on the British Council webpage. It provides teachers with downloadable materials to be used with some literary work such as poems, tales or short stories. This book contains sections explaining why and how the stories should be used in the English language classroom. Teachers’ and authors’ views on BritLit are shared in two sections and finally there are some sample materials from BritLit authors.
Crazy Animals and Other Activities for Teaching English to Young Learners (Edited by Fiona Copland and Sue Garton with Monika Davis)
This is another resource book for teachers of young learners. There are 50 activities described in detail. For each activity, there is certain information provided. First, the suitable age group of learners and the time needed is mentioned. In the next section, necessary materials, suitable classroom organization, the aim of the activity, the description of the activity and ideas for preparation for the activity are listed. Then, the procedure explaining how to carry out the activity step by step is presented. Finally, there are sections called Alternatives and No resources? In the Alternatives sections, teachers are presented with different ideas for using the activity. In the No Resources? Section, the authors suggest ways of doing the activity for teachers who do not have an access to the resources listed.
ELT Research Books
Learner Autonomy: English Language Teachers’ Beliefs and Practices by Simon Borg and Saleh Al-Busaidi
The concept of Learner Autonomy has been widely referred to in the field of English language teaching and how to promote it in learners has been the focus of intensive research. This book provides theoretical background on this topic and shares the findings of a study which focused on the beliefs and reported practices of 61 teachers of English on learner autonomy.
Innovations in Learning Technologies for English Language Teaching by Gary Motteram
This book presents papers providing an overview of the current use of technologies to support English teaching and learning. Integration of technology is discussed from various perspectives: Using technology to teach English for specific purposes and academic purposes, integrating technology in the primary, secondary and adult English language teaching and technology in relation to assessment.
British Council ELT Research Papers Volume 1 (Edited by Susan Sheehan)
This book is a collection of papers on various topics in English language teaching. There are 12 chapters focusing on teaching young learners in different contexts, teacher qualifications and training, professional development, learner autonomy, etc.
Blended Learning in English Language Teaching: Course Design and Implementation (Edited by Brian Tomlinson and Claire Whittaker)
As I explained in my previous post, blended learning has been very popular recently. In this book, you can read about real practices of blended learning in various contexts such as English for Academic Purposes, Teacher Development, English for Specific Purposes, and English as a Foreign Language/General English.
Innovations in the continuing professional development of English language teachers (Edited by David Hayes)
This book offers a view of innovations in the professional development of teachers. Example innovations from the countries such as India, Uzbekistan, Australia, Brazil, etc. are discussed in detail.
British Council Survey of Policy and Practice in Primary English Language Teaching Worldwide by Shelagh Rixon
This books presents the findings of a survey conducted in 64 countries and regions including Turkey and discusses its findings in relation to the following topics: recent policy changes regarding primary English language teaching around the world, facts about the starting age for English, teachers teaching English in the primary level, curriculum and syllabus issues, support for English language teaching at primary level, assessment, transition from primary to secondary school and public and private sector relationships.
Innovation in pre-service education and training for English language teachers (edited by Julian Edge and Steve Mann)
The focus of this book is on the pre-service education. There are 14 articles discussing different issues in relation to pre-service teacher education programs.
Assessing and Evaluating English Language Teacher Education, Teaching and Learning (edited by Dr Philip Powell-Davies)
This book presents the reader with twelve selected presentations on the theme of Assessing and Evaluating English Language Teacher Education, Teaching and Learning. Presentations mostly focused on the assessment and evaluations of practices in the training classroom and the efficacy of teacher education programs.