what kind of text books for learning English do you recommend ?

Question

what kind of text books for learning English do you recommend ?
I have a plan to teach English from elementary to advanced.

Answer 1

A good all-round grammar series for students ages 15+ is the "Grammar in Use" series (comes in several levels). On one side of the page there are GOOD grammar explanations, on the other side there are activities. If you're looking for a textbook that covers grammar AND skills, I like "Headway". It's a very commonly used book that comes in UK and US editions. For discussion activities, check out the "Discussions: A to Z" series of books (Intermediate and Advanced). They're very thought-provoking and are guaranteed to get your students talking (even in one-to-one classes). If you're teaching Business English, check out Market Leader (multiple levels).

If you want to make a career out of teaching ESL in the public school system, I suggest getting an initial Bachelor's degree in Linguistics and then completing a Bachelor of Education degree. That will take about six years and then you can start working in the K-12 school system. If you want to do a Master's degree you can get one that specializes in ESL. It's best to teach a bit before you do your Master's because public schools don't like paying more for people with high qualifications but no experience. A Master's in Applied Linguistics (or possibly a Master's of Education focusing on ESL) will prepare you to teach ESL at the university level.

Answer 2

Shall I give you a generic answer for your question is too generic. It is like, " What is the best way to kiss a girl?".

Every situation is different from each other. There are many methods that promise the magic. There are many schools that also promise the miracle.

Sometimes the best place to learn is the the worst place (and vice versa).

If you follow these steps you will be fine though:
1. Identify your students needs
2. Based on that, prepare a class plan based on the following:
2.1 Student availability (for classes and homework)
2.2 Student REAL level of interest
2.3 Use resources that would be interesting to your student
2.4 If our plan fail, do another
3. The usual structure is as follows:
3.1 Some grammar books
3.2 Some activities books;
3.3 Multimedia such as audio, video is highly recommended
3.4 If possible use resources from the web, if will find an infinite number of them and something out there will help you do the magic.

Answer 3

Grammar texts I have no idea. For reading, Dr Seuss, EE Nesbit, Mark Twain, Stephen Leacock, Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy, the Brontes, Yates, Keats, Chaucer, Longfellow, Edgar Allan Poe and as the source of much literature, the Bible.

And then anybody else you can think of, including JK Rowling, Stephen King and even Heinlein, Clarke, Asimov and company.

Basically, find what appeals to them and then get them to read other stuff as well. Monthly book reports that required books form at least 6 different categories were an excellent idea.

Answer 4

ESL or First Language?

I teach ESL and can recommend the following:

For grammar: The "Azar series" - 3 books by Betty Azar (Basic English Grammar, Fundamentals of English Grammar, Understanding English Grammar)

For academic reading/writing/listening/speaking: the "Northstar series" is quite good.

Also try:
"New Interchange" series
"Side by Side" (conversational)

If you're in Canada,. "Canadian Concepts" is a popular series. In the U.S., you might want to try "American Headways".

Pearson Education publishes quite a few ESL and first language books. You could check out their site.