More Principles of Effective Materials Development

More Principles of Effective Materials Development,
according to Brian Tomlinson

Tomlinson also follows these principles when developing effective materials.

Principle of Language Acquisition N° 3:

Language learners who achieve positive affect are much more likely to achieve communicative competence than those who do not.

Comment:
Learners who are motivated in a positive way are going to feel that what they learn is valuable, and they may develop a positive self-esteem. It is important to have a reaction from them, whether it is laughter or aversion, for in the end, a valuable positive affective involvment will have been accomplished.

Principles of materials development:
- Materials ought to be attractive, interesting, relevant, pleasant, achievably challenging, to bring forth a positive influence on the learners. Controversial, provocative, and cheerful materials that include readings, songs, art, and others, stimulate emotive responses.


Principle of Language Acquisition N° 4:

L2 language learners can benefit from using those mental resources that they typically utilize when acquiring and using their L1.

Comment:
- All of us use multidimensional mental representations (mental maging, inner speech, predictions, interpretations, connections with our lives, and others) when we learn and use our L1. To promote durable language acquisition of L2, learners ought to develop the ability to use the target language effectively, through multidimensional representations.

- We use the inner voice to control our environment (hear, read, make plans, solve problems, evaluate) and prepare the outer voice utterances before saying or writing them, in L1. It is only advanced students of L2 who use these in the target language. But we should provide material for students to use their inner voice, even when they have not acquired an advanced level in L2.

- We should try to train L2 learners to use visual imaging to improve their language use and acquisition.

Principles of Materials Development:
- Before, during and after the learning activities, learners ought to be encouraged to visualize or use inner speech.
-Activities ought to make students reflect and use mental strategies once in a task and again in a similar task.