I agree that “the process of materials development involves deciding how to put your teaching principles into practice” (Graves, 2000). We are living in the world of material wealth, and so are our teaching and classrooms. Making the most of the materials is one attribute of a good, professional teacher. However, just using them or using more does not make the case all the time. In this respect, those fifteen considerations in designing activities were worth looking at. Especially the first one is what I have felt really necessary for those teachers in Korea to be aware: Activities should draw on what students know (their experience, their current situation) and be relevant to them. Many adopt activities that are not relevant to their students or are beyond the students’ current knowledge of the world or skills. Imagine elementary schoolers discussing artificial insemination! This is an extreme example, but similar things actually do happen. Teacher’s making choice is very important in material development. Then how can teachers make good choice? Let me finish with Graves’ saying: “You can’t target everything and so you need make choices based on what you want your students to learn according to your goals and objectives and your syllabus focus” (2000).
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