Designing Effective Language Learning Materials for Less Commonly Taught Languages

Book excerpt: A step-by-step guide to designing materials for learning world languages, from expert instructional designers Many teachers of less commonly taught languages, or LCTLs, find themselves in the position of needing access to quality language teaching and learning materials where none exist, or where those that do are extremely outdated. Designing Effective Language Learning Materials for Less Commonly Taught Languages is a concise guide for language instructors or anyone with an interest in developing language learning materials. While leading instructors through the development process using the ADDIE model of instructional design (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation), Özçelik and Kent present examples from many different languages, provide reflection questions for readers to consider at the end of each chapter, and give concrete strategies and tips throughout the process. Readers will come away from the book with a more comprehensive understanding of how to develop materials for world language learning in general, and LCTL learning in particular, and a clear roadmap for doing so. Simply written and free of overly complicated jargon or rhetoric, Designing Effective Language Learning Materials for Less Commonly Taught Languages will be an invaluable reference for novice and experienced instructors alike, as well as directors of language programs.