What to Consider When Choosing English (ELT) Materials for Your School
- Whether you are choosing books, a full curriculum, or a syllabus
- The age group (Kindergarten, Primary, or Secondary)
- The balance between language learning and skills development
- Whether materials support phonics, literacy, and communication
- The difference between printed books, digital resources, and hybrid solutions
- Teachers’ experience, training needs, and confidence
- Parents’ expectations, affordability, and trust
- Availability of teacher guides, audio, and structured support
Many schools search for English books, syllabi, or even free PDFs without realizing that each age group requires a different approach. For this reason, this guide breaks material selection into Kindergarten, Primary, and Secondary stages.
Choosing Books for Kindergarten, Kids, Teens, and Adults
Kindergarten
Language Foundations in English Kindergarten Books
- Letters
- Phonics
- Vocabulary
- Simple Conversation & Grammar
Early Literacy and Reading Skills
- Literacy
- Picture-Based Reading
- Story understanding
Numeracy and Cognitive Development
- Numeracy
- Cognitive Skills
Writing and Fine Motor Skills
- Assisted Writing
- Pencil Activities
- Coloring
Engagement and Motivation for Young Learners
- Colorful Pictures
- Stickers
- Puppets
- Big Books
Listening, Songs, and Oral Language
- Listening activities
- Songs & Chants
- Games & Acting
Values and Integrated Learning (CLIL)
- Values
- CLIL
- Cultural Sensitivity
Kids (Young Learners)
Books should include:
- visuals
- songs
- phonics
- games
- short activities
Teens
Materials should feel mature and relevant:
- projects
- real-life topics
- critical thinking tasks
- communication activities
Adults
Prioritize:
- workplace English
- practical communication
- authentic texts
- fast-paced grammar explanations
When to Use Phonics Books (and When Not To)
Use phonics books when:
- learners are beginners
- teaching ages 4–10
- decoding and spelling need support
Avoid phonics when:
- students read fluently
- teaching teens or adults
- the focus is communication, not decoding
How to Avoid Poor-Quality or Outdated Materials
Avoid books that:
- use unnatural dialogues
- contain outdated visuals
- lack digital resources
- focus only on grammar
- skip speaking tasks
A quick test:
If the book looks older than your students’ phones, it’s time to upgrade.
Digital Resources Teachers Forget to Use
Many teachers underuse digital tools that come with their books.
Look for:
- unit videos
- audio tracks
- grammar animations
- online games
- home assignments on apps
- interactive practice platforms (Oxford Online Practice, Cambridge One)
These tools make lessons more engaging without increasing teacher workload.
Section Summary
Choosing the right materials is one of the most important decisions a teacher makes. Books must support communication, engagement, digital integration, and clear progression. With the right materials, both teachers and students experience smoother, more effective lessons.
Nour E Sham Book Centre 