Page 33 - ELG1805 May Issue 457

REVIEWS . REVIEWS & RESOURCES

A HANDBOOK FOR EXPLORATORY ACTION BOOK OF THE MONTH
RESEARCH, By Richard Smith and Paula
Rebolledo. British Council Publications,
ISBN: 978-0-86355-885-6 Richmond mazes: cRisis at of ‘interactive fiction’. campaign. I reached the incidentally learn about
Download from https://tinyurl.com/ycpjqumh clifton – inteRmediate B1+ Readers make decisions end but was somewhat the advertising industry,
James styRing and alastaiR that influence how the disappointed at not including social media.
asks teachers to measure their research story proceeds. If you hit gaining an adequate The illustrations help
competencies at the outset and then once lane, Richmond; a dead end, you must number of bonus points! bring the story to life. This
they have worked through the material. 978-8-4668-1851-3 go back and try another The plot is hugely 200-page book featured
This includes statements such as on route. Your goal is to inventive. Useful in a previous review of ELT
the extent to which ‘I can decide how to Based on the idea of a ensure your new company vocabulary (pitch, readers on these pages –
gather information to answer my research maze, Crisis at Clifton survives by creating a slogan) is presented in a now available as an app.
questions.’ is a wonderful example successful advertising natural context. Readers Excellent
The end of each chapter provides a very
helpful summary, plus follow-up tasks that
aim to stimulate thought processes for the reviews in brief
following chapter.
The authors also seek to demystify
negative notions of research, such as that JACK C RICHARDS’ 50 TIPS FOR TEACHER CROOKED HOUSE, LEVEL 5 CEF B2+, Agatha Christie,
it involves lots of in-depth reading and an DEVELOPMENT, Jack C Richards, CUP; Collins English Readers;
academic paper as an outcome. 978-1-1084-0836-3 978-0-0082-6235-8
Inevitably, teachers fresh to research find This pocket-sized 120-page book should prove invaluable Agatha Christie, the so-called Queen of Crime, needs little
it immensely difficult to select a suitable to teachers and teacher-trainers interested in professional introduction. This 112-page reader uses the Collins COBUILD
topic for investigation. development. The fifty tips are divided into twelve broad areas, grading scheme to match the language input to the upper-
including observing lessons, engaging in critical thinking and intermediate level. The number of headwords is around 2,200;
This book is unique in research. Each tip is succinctly presented over two pages, the total word count is just under 26,000. The book includes
Find your that it is written primarily enjoyed learning about using wikis for collaboration and the difficult words and explanations of cultural references like
a format that makes the book easy to dip into. I especially
an indispensable family tree of the characters, a glossary of
‘nursery rhymes’, ‘Scotland Yard’ and ‘telegram’. A downloadable
use of narrative frames, where teachers complete a story from
for teachers in primary
recording is available. Who murdered Aristide Leonides? The
their past, encouraging reflection and discussion. Appendix
‘whodunnit’ format is a real motivator – I found myself keen to
three provides a comprehensive lesson observation form. The
and secondary schools,
well-known author draws on a lifetime of experience in teacher
learn the solution to the mystery. A great read.
way into particularly those working education. Recommended. Reviews by Pete Sharma for Bournemouth English Book Centre: www.bebc.co.uk
in less well-resourced
conditions around the
research The book outlines the experiences of
world
Leyla and Andrea, who overcame this
issue by composing and asking suitable
exploratory questions.
The authors go on to look at a variety of
Language teachers are the target for a book which data collection methods, such as making
notes from interviews and observed lessons,
seeks to demystify action research, writes Wayne along with responses from questionnaires.
Potential pitfalls are also listed, including
Trotman delays in gaining acceptance from the
school authorities to carry out the research.
or most foreign language teachers, references to a successful project recently Chapter six outlines how to make sense
the notion of ‘research’ calls to mind carried out in Chile with so-called of the data, and seven and eight chapters
people in white coats sat in poorly- ‘Champion Teachers’ who engaged in a explain how, if the teacher wishes, to
Flit rooms on university campuses variety of self-initiated studies. This is develop the study into action research
analysing huge amounts of numerical data. available at: http://bit.ly/champion-teachers. projects.
This freely available e-book from the Since most titles on research in ELT The final chapter outlines how to share
British Council should once and for all lay seem to be aimed at the higher education research findings with others and the issues
this myth to rest, as it takes the uninitiated sector, this one is unique in that it is of consideration for participants’ rights such
through the required steps towards written primarily for teachers in primary as providing anonymity.
undertaking a useful research project. and secondary schools, particularly those The authors are to be roundly applauded.
The book’s title comes from the idea that working in less well-resourced conditions This book is highly recommended for
using exploratory practice to understand around the world. language teachers anxious about taking
a particular classroom puzzle might well As the introduction points out, engaging the first steps towards
lead onto action research which provides a in research is one way of discovering ways exploring their own
possible solution. to tackle difficulties such as as large classes teaching contexts.
This is a practical handbook, written and heavy teaching loads. As the authors
in a non-academic tone, which aims to state: ‘Exploratory action research is both Wayne Trotman is a
encourage teachers to engage in continuing desirable and feasible.’ teacher educator at Izmir
professional development for the benefit This title begins and ends with the Katip Çelebi University,
of their learners. Throughout, there are same fifteen-point diagnostic test, which Izmir, Turkey.
32 May 2018 editorial@elgazette.com