What Language Learning Materials Must Do

Language learning materials guide learners and, often, teachers through a language course. Their content must be based on solid, current research from Second Language Acquisition, Applied Linguistics and Cognitive Psychology. Materials developers must make learners' needs for the language priority when choosing content. Delivery of the content is just as important. Themes and topics must stimulate learners' curiosity and desire to understand in the target language. Materials need be aesthetically appealing. They must also function as evidence of what occurs in the classroom. To do this, they must look professional and effective. Finally, materials development cannot end with the production of materials. They must be continually evaluated post-use.

My language learning materials feature:

• Attractive, clear design
• Culturally-appropriate topics
• Basis in corpus studies
• Minimal cognitive load
• Interleaved practice