Materials use in language classrooms: A research agenda

Abstract

How language learners and teachers actually use pedagogical materials in classrooms is a ‘groundbreaking’ subject of applied linguistics inquiry (Tarone, 2014, p. 653), referred to in this research agenda article as materials use. We begin with a theoretically-oriented overview of language education scholarship on pedagogical materials (henceforth materials). Then, we focus on seven qualitative research tasks across three thematic areas, namely materials use and: (A) language pedagogy, (B) classroom interaction, and (C) language diversity, culture, and power. The first section on pedagogy outlines research tasks on: (1) the roles of materials in classrooms, (2) the influences of materials on practicing educators’ expertise, and (3) how language teacher education programmes address materials use. The second section on classroom interaction proposes inquiry into: (4) polysemiotic patterns of materials-in-interaction, and (5) the expected and unexpected outcomes of materials regarding students’ target language use. The third section focuses on: (6) teachers’ and learners’ responses to diverse linguistic varieties and cultures represented in materials, and (7) instructional materials used in language policy and planning endeavours. Throughout this article we reference interdisciplinary connections to curriculum studies, cultural studies, sociology, and materials scholarship in general education. The seven research tasks are critical next steps for understanding materials use – a vast new field that promises to advance language education practice and theory.

What is The Teacher's View of The Development of Digital Teaching Materials in Indonesian Language Learning in Middle Schools?

“…The development of teaching materials functions as a learning resource that helps students maximize learning outcomes by increasing time efficiency and learning speed and minimizing the role of educators in presenting information (Umihani et al, 2023). The use of teaching materials refers to the way students use and interact with material (Guerrettaz et al, 2018;Pourhaji et al, 2023). With teaching materials, students will be able to shape their knowledge.…”