Abstract
Preface For the last four years I have been concerned with making LL materials as a director of the LL in Tezukayama University. The LL classes have been really in the test stage, trying this way and that, sometimes making mistakes, wasting time and money. But now they are beginning to be on the rail, to our great joy. On these experiences, some comments are going to be given in terms of possibilities and limitations of LL materials. Body Comments are be divided into four parts: 1. making materials for the independent LL classes. 2. LL materials which can be used both for the conversation classes and the LL classes. The LL's are held in the latter half of the classes after the conversation classes. 3. LL materials supplementary to the grammar lessons. 4. Materials supplementary to oral composition lessons. 1. LL materials for independent LL classes Materials for independent LL classes are mostly made up of pattern practice drills. They have lots of effective and efficient merits because they enable the students to do productive drills according to each cue given, and also make them concentrate on basic, and useful expressions. But the weakest point of them is that they don't have context or situation which will make it possible for the students to exercise their association power. Consequently students are easy to be bored. 2. Supplementary materials for conversation classes. Teachers can carry on the classes much more smoothly because most of the conversation materials have situations. Useful patterns can be got out of the situational conversation and they can be practised with the context. Intonation pattern drills can also be made, such as imperative intonation patterns or echo question patterns. The trouble is, however, such kinds of materials take too much time since students are required to understand the situation, before they go on drills. 3. LL materials used together with grammar lessons. Traditionals grammar handbooks are classified clearly, so according to the classification LL material can be arranged clearly. But overall materials cannot be made since some patterns or expressions are frequently used and some are not, or difficult to make for the LL materials. They also don't have context for each item. 4. LL materials supplementary to English composition lessons There are some difficulties in making LL materials attached to the composition lessons, some of which are the ones as to on which side we should stand, on Japanese side or on English side. The cross cultural problems should also be thought of. But for the basic drills, LL materials, if well organized, will help students improve their composition ability. Conclusion As a whole, psycho linguistic studies should be exploited in order to make more effective LL materials.
