This is from Eric:
Hey Ben –
I originally posted this to moreTPRS, to criticize BVP’s lackluster commentary on textbooks in episode 3 of his radio show.
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/moretprs/conversations/messages/149461
I think you’ll enjoy the analogy:
A commercial textbook is like alcohol.
What it’s good for depends on the goal. The goal of language acquisition is like the goal of getting healthy. No one ought to drink alcohol if they want to get healthy.
Just like alcohol, there ought to be a disclaimer on the textbook: “This is harmful to your language acquisition.”
Wine would be like Processing Instruction (PI). Wine is that way of doing “explicit grammar instruction” that can be beneficial, but it’s also not to be abused, because it’s not your “method” of staying healthy. (PI is a structured input-based intervention, not a method, and it’s BVP’s baby).
The alcohol companies obviously know it’s harmful, but that doesn’t stop them.
Now, if you’re just starting to diet (new teachers), a few drinks may help ease the hunger. But you best put down the drink ASAP if you want to get healthy.
Unfortunately, most World Language teachers currently are alcoholics. They are addicted and can’t put it down. Some are even abusive and take it out on those who are trying to get healthy, forcing others to drink with them. And worst of all: they don’t even think they have a problem.
So, is the textbook friend or foe?
Eric