Tefl Materials Evaluation: A Teacher's Perspective

Abstract

This paper discusses the merits and demerits of two main types of instructional EFL materials, namely, global and in-house materials with special reference to those used in the Arab Gulf region. It also focuses on the evaluation of the much commoner global materials and the selection of the most appropriate ones for a specific EFL program. Although several questionnaires and checklists for evaluation exist, none of these has reflected the specific needs and concerns of EFL classroom teachers who would be using those materials. The paper stresses the need to scrutinize the current evaluation formats from a teacher's perspective. For this purpose, the writer proposes a specific "customizing" test that would help EFL teachers to assess the available evaluation checklists, select and adapt the most appropriate form that would fit in their respective settings.