Illustrated booklets, Video materials, CDROMS, PowerPoint Presentations, BSL websites
Materials with a lexical focus (Vocabulary):
- Are learners given the meaning of vocabulary or are they guided to discover it?
- Is there a clear context for presentation/discovery and practice?
- How rich is the context, is the language linked to real situations?
- Are learners given enough language data to discover/understand meaning and use?
- Are lexical items grouped? Is the grouping meaningful and memorable
- Do exercises/activities teach or test?
- Is there a balance between global and focused activities
- Is there a balance between free and controlled activities
- Are the activities realistic
- Are the activities personalised?
What to check in materials with a grammar focus:
Are the following language features accessible within the materials?
- Form - the structure e.g. directional verbs classifiers
- Meaning - is the grammatical structure understood by using the materials
- Is the function of the grammar structure understood E.G. materials showing classifiers
- Use will the learner understand how to use the structure E.G. non- manual features
How much of the language is related to your curriculum or course:
- Authenticity materials reflecting the language of the community
- Materials which show clear natural BSL and are understood
- Interest which engender interest
- Useful materials which are clearly identified
- Rules & Explanations of grammar structure are obvious within the materials
- Terminology used in materials is clear and understood
- Generality – the materials demonstrate familiar, known or new vocabulary
- Amount of detail – materials must be neither too detailed nor too brief
- The materials must capture the interest of students or they will disengage from your sessions
- Effectiveness – students learning must be enhanced
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