Behind the inlingua Scenes

Julia Silvère — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:36:59 +0000

What it takes to write a textbook for language learners

Ever wondered what goes into making language learning materials? It is not just about throwing together a few grammar exercises and calling it a day. The process is a blend of creativity, pedagogy, and a touch of technological magic. Whether it’s for the classroom or for online learning courses, the aim is always the same – to make language learning engaging, effective, and accessible. Let’s take a behind-the-scenes look at how all of this comes together at inlingua.

Questions, questions, questions!

Before anything is written, we have to do a deep dive into research. Through surveys and interviews, classroom visits and observations we try to understand our learners’ exact needs. Who are they? What challenges do they face? What keeps them motivated? What are their goals? Why do they want to learn a language? Once we have a clear picture of our learners, we start planning: How should we structure the material? Which techniques should we follow? A communicative approach, task-based learning, or a mix? (You’ll learn more about the unique inlingua method in next month’s blog.) What are the different components of our learning materials? What is the most sensible use of technology to go with them? What should the teachers’ resources look like? And what feels like a million more questions emerge to be answered!

The fun part— content writing and the magic of design!

Content writing usually happens in three stages. For the first – as ever – we start with our learners. What do we want them to learn while working through our materials? This means we have to write very clear goals for each unit and each key point of every unit. Next, we search for topics that will match the objectives and will be interesting, engaging, and relevant for the learners. Finally, catchy dialogues, real-world reading passages, and digestible grammar explanations are created to keep students interested. Exercises need to provide structured practice while also encouraging real, authentic communication. Matching audio and video materials bring language to life, making learning feel relevant.

A great textbook isn’t just about words, it’s also about the design. A clear, intuitive layout makes it easier for students to navigate. Thoughtfully chosen visuals, like illustrations, infographics, and icons, support understanding without overwhelming the page. Digital elements add interactivity, from exercises with instant feedback, to quizzes that make learning more dynamic, and gamification features that motivate learners.

The second most important people – the trainers!

Trainer resources and training play a crucial roles in the process of writing learning materials. No matter how well-designed they are, their impact solely depends on how effectively teachers can use them in the classroom. That’s why we provide comprehensive trainer training courses, guides, lesson plans, and additional support materials to help them bring the content to life. We support them with suggested additional classroom activities, differentiation strategies, as well as background information on the unit topics. These resources ensure that inlingua trainers have the confidence and flexibility to adapt lessons to their students’ needs. Our digital platform my.inlingua offers all training courses and interactive tools that enable trainers to have the same experience with our digital tools as our learners, so they can make the most of the resources available to them.

Ready for publication!

Once everything is polished, it’s time for publication. That means meticulous editing and proofreading to eliminate errors, followed by the final production process—whether that’s printing books or launching digital content. But even after release, the work isn’t done. Through a thorough feedback process, we monitor how learners and teachers interact with the materials, making regular updates to keep things fresh, relevant, and in line with new educational trends. Language learning evolves, and so must our resources. Whether it’s incorporating new research in linguistics, updating cultural references, or leveraging the latest educational technology, we are always refining and improving. This continuous development ensures that learners get the most out of their experience and stay motivated on their language-learning journey.

Creating student books and digital learning materials is not just about assembling exercises, it is about crafting an immersive, effective learning experience. It takes research, creativity, and a lot of time to get it right, but when learners engage with the content and make progress, it is all worth it!

Written by: Julia Silvère