Why students needs extra practice beyond textbooks for learning English

Textbooks are excellent for English language students to build a foundation since they provide them essential basic knowledge, structures, and patterns. However, extra practice beyond textbooks is crucial for students to develop their English further and master it properly.
Textbooks often teach formal, structured language, whereas real-world practice (e.g., films, conversation partners, and podcasts) introduces students to informal speech, idioms, and natural pronunciation, which are necessary for true communication. Moreover, reading or listening outside the classroom exposes students to a wider variety of vocabulary, patterns and structures, helping them to understand how language works in contexts. As students choose their own materials such as novels, articles, videos, or practice books, it increases their engagement and provides them a positive attitude toward learning, promoting independent study. It is also useful when students connect their English to real-world experiences – for instance, visiting museums or conversing with native speakers. For it makes vocabulary easier for them to remember than just memorizing a list. To put it simply, moving beyond textbooks allows students to analyze, evaluate, and engage actively with English, rather than just absorbing information.
As stated above, textbooks provide good guidance for students to learn the basics and essentials of the English language, yet extra practice is still vital for them to make the language a ‘tool’ rather than just a subject of study.
On a side note: Students who want to improve and develop their English outside the classroom may obtain the following practice books in the library or bookshop of the Dana Education Centre:
1) Exercises for Elementary Learners which is a comprehensive practice book designed for students who are in the early stages of learning English and aims to build a solid foundation by focusing on essential grammar, everyday vocabulary, and basic communication skills,
2) Exercises for Pre-Intermediate Learner which is a comprehensive practice book designed for students who want to progress further after mastering the basics of English and provides a systematic progression through essential grammar, vocabulary, and practical communication,
3) Exercises for Intermediate Learners which is a comprehensive practice book designed for students who want to bridge the gap between basic and advanced proficiency and focuses on essential grammar structures, vocabulary and communication themes necessary for intermediary mastery.

Sahetmyrat Mekanow
Instructor of English
Dana Education Centre