When I first starting teaching English in South Korea, back in 2005, I had next to no experience of English teaching, nor did I know any resource books that would have certainly helped during my initial time working at a private English institute (also known as a hagwon – 학원). However, the only books that I was able to purchase prior to arriving in South Korea was a copy of English Vocabulary in Use as well as English Grammar in Use.

These books actually helped out when I was planning my grammar lessons, but I had little knowledge of English grammar when I was starting my teaching career, as I was not necessarily taught about grammar at school. However, in this post, I am sharing ten essential books all English teachers need to help them when planning their lessons or extending their knowledge about the practicalities of teaching.

1. Learning Teaching by Jim Scrivener

The first book that I recommend any new, or experienced English teacher, would to consider getting Learning Teaching which is written by Jim Scrivener. I purchased this book as part of my recommended reading for the CELTA course in Seoul at the British Council in 2007.

The main benefits for getting this book, especially for new English teachers, would be the way Scrivener makes the topic of teaching more accessible and rather comprehensible. Language acquisition and teaching can be quite a broad subject, covering many disciplines, but the readability of Learning Teaching offers some insight into the teaching of listening, reading, or speaking skills. The current edition also includes a DVD which includes much of the teaching resources as well as recordings of lessons that offer insight into how different teachers deliver their lessons. As I mention below, not all computers nowadays have a DVD drive and it would make sense to make the videos accessible online.

Total Score: 9/10

2. The Practice of English Language Teaching by Jeremy Harmer

The second book that I recommend English teachers to consider purchasing would be The Practice of English Language Teaching by Jeremy Harmer. This publication is much like the previous book, with a DVD being included where teachers are able to watch a variety of lessons that could be of benefit to readers and aspiring teachers. The only flaw regarding this is that the DVD can, of course, be only played via a DVD player, and nowadays most laptops and computers do not have a DVD drive.

In future editions of this book (as well as the previous one recommended), it would make sense to incorporate the videos into a sharing platform such as YouTube but make the videos unlisted, so only those that purchase the book are only able to view these videos as well as the printable material. Nonetheless, it is a wonderful publication and beneficial for aspiring or experienced teachers.

Total Score: 9/10

3. Teaching English Grammar by Jim Scrivener

The third book in this list of top ten is another book by Jim Scrivener, Teaching English Grammar, which was not available when I early years of English teaching. However, it would have certainly helped when I was starting out as an English teacher, particularly when my knowledge and awareness of English grammar was non-existent.

The wonderful aspect regarding Teaching English Grammar is that the book covers a range of grammatical areas that trainee teachers must be aware. It is written in an incredibly readable format, where you are guided through from how to introduce the grammatical component to students, how to elicit key language, what to ask with concept checking questions (CCQs), as well as common errors that students could produce.

Total Score: 10/10

4. Practical English Usage by Michael Swan

This fourth book, Practical English Usage, was another publication that was recommended reading for me when taking the CELTA course at the British Council. Practical English Usage written by Michael Swan is regarded as the go-to publication for those completing an initial training course or well-experienced teachers seeking clarification about a particular point about English with a clearly defined explanation.

I always return to this book regardless how many years of teaching I have under my belt and I tend to refer to the book when I have to plan lessons and wish to incorporate some of the points included, such as getting further examples of newspaper headlines, the differences between British and American English, or rules for word formation and spelling. There are over 600 entries within Practical English Usage, which include many anticipated issues that students are likely to ask and offer the reader a comprehensive and thorough explanation. It is well worth investing and picking up a copy of the book as it will benefit you throughout your teaching career.

Total Score: 9/10

5. Grammar for English Language Teachers by Martin Parrott

I was introduced to Grammar for English Language Teachers when registering for the CELTA course in Seoul and was recommended to purchase the book to aid with the preparation and the teaching of grammar to English language learners. It is an ideal reference book for teachers, whether experienced or not, who are seeking to enhance their grammar knowledge.

Martin Parrott makes an effort to write in a clear manner, offering comprehensible examples about different grammar points. There are also examples of learner errors which help teachers anticipate such aspects from learners. There are similarities to Swan’s Practical English Usage, however when both books are combined by teachers they are invaluable.

Total Score: 9/10

6. Classroom Management Techniques by Jim Scrivener

The third book by Jim Scrivener in this list is Classroom Management Techniques. There is probably a reason why Scrivener’s publications have endured success over many years, as he tackles incredibly complex aspects of teaching, whether it is about teaching grammar, learning how to teach English as a foreign language, or, as with this book, dealing with the broad area of classroom management. With the sixth book in this list, Scrivener has written a highly supportive and thought provoking book which encourages the reader to reflect on their experiences or ideas about the classroom or interacting with students.

Personally, I always refer back to Classroom Management Techniques if I encounter a difficulty in my classroom as the book offers some insightful input whether getting students focused further within the classroom or making the most of the teaching space. I have also referred to this book when organising some teacher training sessions or workshops, so whether you are experienced or new to English language teaching, this book would be of benefit to you.

Total Score: 10/10

7. Planning Lessons and Courses by Tessa Woodward

One of the most important considerations for English teachers would be to organise lessons as well as courses, and it might be rather overwhelming. However, Planning Lessons and Courses by Tessa Woodward is a book that breaks down lesson planning or course development into a series of eight chapters, starting from the students in the initial chapter heading and arriving at the freedom and constraints of lesson or course planning in the final chapter.

The book can help new teachers plan their lessons and courses with some input and consideration given from the author, for the reader to contemplate. I recently returned to the book when I was asked to prepare three courses with minimal time, and it certainly helped. I originally purchased the book to help me plan a four week curriculum for young learners when I was working in the UK and was tasked with improving young learner courses at a private language institute. However, Planning Lessons and Courses may not be a necessity if you have a coursebook and there is some clarity to how your courses or lessons are arranged.

Total Score: 7/10

8. Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching by Jack Richards and Theodore Rodgers

English as a second or foreign language is a rather broad subject with many methods or philosophies for teaching. When I undertook the CELTA course, I was introduced to a few methods of teaching with more focus given towards communicative language teaching (CLT). Yet on a four week intensive course, there is little to cover regarding the broad teaching methods, however Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching by Richards and Rodgers introduce the reader to the very different approaches of language teaching.

I originally purchased this book when I was taking my MA in English Language Teaching and wanted to learn more about the history of teaching English, which this book covered. It was the second edition back then, but also purchased the updated edition which now includes new chapters on Content Language Integrated Learning (CLIL). There is a brief mention about Dogme ELT, also known as teaching unplugged but it is really worthy of a dedicated chapter in itself, much like some of the other twentieth century methods being included. Nevertheless, Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching offers insight for the reader about different methods that a teacher could incorporate into their own teaching.

Total Score: 9/10

9. The Book of Pronunciation by Jonathan Marks and Tim Bowen

One skill of teaching that I have always felt uncomfortable was pronunciation. Even when I was taking the CELTA, I never felt comfortable about teaching or including pronunciation into my lessons. It took a while for me to learn about the phonemic chart, but I felt more comfortable after watching a recorded video where Adrian Underhill introduces the chart to other teachers (kindly refer to the video below).

When I was taking my initial teacher training course, there was one input session on pronunciation but it all felt like a foreign language or mathematics – with me not particularly good at the latter. Anyhow, I was introduced to The Book of Pronunciation after a number of years after the course and made an effort to incorporate phonemic chart and pronunciation into my teaching.

The ninth book in this list offers the reader suggestions on how best to incorporate pronunciation to students and, much like the DELTA Publishing Series, is arranged into three key chapters – the first looking at the theory and consideration for teaching pronunciation, the second chapter having a range of pronunciation tasks, and the final chapter offering more considerations and reflections on teaching pronunciation. The Book of Pronunciation is an invaluable resource for those teachers wishing to enhance their skills of incorporating pronunciation into English lessons.

Total Score: 10/10

10. Penny Ur’s 100 Teaching Tips by Penny Ur

The final book, Penny Ur’s 100 Teaching Tips, is a pocket-sized companion for English teachers which provides readers the opportunity to gain insight into teaching and recommendations provided by Penny Ur who has had over 40 years of English teaching experience. The publication is available as paperback as well as an eBook.

The publication offers 20 chapters which look at a range of aspects of teaching English such as homework, teaching vocabulary, error correction as well as a whole raft of other points. Penny Ur’s 100 Teaching Tips is packed full of insightful and clear explanations regarding classroom teaching. It is best suited for any English teacher regardless their experience or context.

Total Score: 10/10

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So which are your favourite publications for English teachers? If you have any recommendations that teachers must consider, then kindly share these in the comments. I may write a new post of the next ten books that teachers should consider getting in future.

Thank you for getting through to the end of this post. Happy Teaching!