TESL Ontario Webinar

What should we keep in mind when we design materials for language learners? What are the key principles of effective visual design of materials? What steps should we take when we design materials for language learners?

After outlining principles of perception and processing of visual information, the session takes participants step by step through the design process of a sample material and provides them with tips for designing visually successful materials. The presenter also discusses examples of problematic visual design from samples of teacher made materials and gives suggestions for changes that would make them more effective.

The presenter will address the following key points:

• the building blocks of effective document design,
• the effective use of visual elements,
• planning for visually successful materials, and
• learning from common design mistakes in materials.

WEBINAR TYPE

Career Development

CATEGORIES

Instructional Design

TEACHING SECTORS

All sectors

PARTICIPANT LEVEL

No previous knowledge required

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Dr. Gabriela Kleckova, a former lower secondary school English teacher, chairs the Department of English at the Faculty of Education, University of West Bohemia in Plzen, the Czech Republic where she also teaches second language teacher education courses to pre-service and in-service teachers. Gabriela’s professional interests include the effectiveness and utility of visual design of ELT materials, teacher education, innovation in education, and leadership. She has co-authored Creating Visually Effective Materials for English Learners (TESOL Press, 2019), as well as two book chapters on visual design of teaching materials. Gabriela is TESOL International Association president for 2021-2022.

Website: http://www.gab-elt.com/ Blog post: http://blog.tesol.org/teacher-made-materials-design-6-flaws-and-fixes/