MATERIAL DESIGN
A large amount of the ESP teacher’s 
time may well be taken up in writing 
materials
Why
Publishers are naturally reluctant to produce 
materials for very limited markets 
When suitable materials are available, it may 
not be possible to buy them 
Materials are a visible product of activity, 
regadless of whether such activity is useful or 
even necessary 
The process of materials writing may help 
to make teachers more aware of what is 
involved in teaching and learning
Some techniques for 
producing useful and 
creative ESP materials 
Defining objectives 
A materials design 
model 
Sample materials 
Refining the model 
Materials and the 
syllabus 
Using the models: a 
case study
Defining 
objectives 
Provide a 
stimulus to 
learning 
Good materials 
contain: 
• Interesting texts 
•Enjoyable activities 
•Opportunities to use 
learners’ thinking and 
Provide simpler 
ways of language 
skills 
•Content can be coped 
by learner and teacher 
Embody a view of the 
nature of language & 
learning 
Reflect the nature 
of the learning task 
Have a very useful 
function 
Provide models of correct 
and appropriate language 
use
A MATERIALS DESIGN MODEL 
INPUT 
CONTENT LANGUAGE 
TASK
A material design 
model: sample 
materials
4 
REFINING THE MODEL
Materials and 
the syllabus 
Needs analysis = 
target situation + 
intangible factors 
(learner 
involvement, variety, 
etc) 
The coherent between 
the unit structure and 
the syllabus structure 
Two types of model 
Predictive 
Evaluative
6 
Using the model: a case 
study
The models we have 
presented are ones that we 
have used in our preparing 
our own materials.

Material design

  • 1.
  • 2.
    A large amountof the ESP teacher’s time may well be taken up in writing materials
  • 3.
  • 4.
    Publishers are naturallyreluctant to produce materials for very limited markets When suitable materials are available, it may not be possible to buy them Materials are a visible product of activity, regadless of whether such activity is useful or even necessary The process of materials writing may help to make teachers more aware of what is involved in teaching and learning
  • 5.
    Some techniques for producing useful and creative ESP materials Defining objectives A materials design model Sample materials Refining the model Materials and the syllabus Using the models: a case study
  • 6.
    Defining objectives Providea stimulus to learning Good materials contain: • Interesting texts •Enjoyable activities •Opportunities to use learners’ thinking and Provide simpler ways of language skills •Content can be coped by learner and teacher Embody a view of the nature of language & learning Reflect the nature of the learning task Have a very useful function Provide models of correct and appropriate language use
  • 7.
    A MATERIALS DESIGNMODEL INPUT CONTENT LANGUAGE TASK
  • 8.
    A material design model: sample materials
  • 9.
  • 10.
    Materials and thesyllabus Needs analysis = target situation + intangible factors (learner involvement, variety, etc) The coherent between the unit structure and the syllabus structure Two types of model Predictive Evaluative
  • 11.
    6 Using themodel: a case study
  • 12.
    The models wehave presented are ones that we have used in our preparing our own materials.