Textbooks Adaptation
There are many times in which we need to adapt the textbooks that we use in the classrooms. Some adaptation may be required to suit our students' level of proficiency, interest, and needs. We may also think that the books are incomplete and needs some additional contents and tasks. Thus we decide to adapt the book.
According to Jack C. Richards in his book Curriculum Development in Language Teaching, there are some forms of adaptations (p.260) , namely:
a. Modifying content
According to Richards, content may need to be changed because it does not suit the target learners, perhaps because of factors related to learners' age, gender, social class, occupation and religion or cultural background.
b. Deleting and Adding content
some sections of the books can also be deleted or added according to the needs in using the books.
c. Reorganizing content
Teachers may also reorganize the content of the books, presenting the contents in different orders
d. Addressing omission
Teachers may add activities or grammar activities to a unit
e. Modifying tasks
exercises and activities may need to be changed to give additional focus.
f. Extending tasks
Exercises may contain insufficient practice and additional practice tasks may need to be added.
Apart from those forms, I think as a teacher we can also add the charts, pictures, diagram, table or any other illustration to make the students gain better understanding of the texts.
Everything can be done in order to facilitate the students learning. Adapting the materials should be listed as one of the skills teachers should developed to enhance their professionalism.
