Information sheets

CILT resources library collection


The CILT Resources Library is a national reference resource for language teachers and others working in the fields of language learning and teaching as well as associated aspects of applied linguistics. It comprises several distinct collections developed over the 30 + years of CILT's existence.

Chinese collection
Chinese collection 2 There is currently a Mandarin Resources Display in the Library.

A list of special titles for Mandarin materials is available on the Library catalogue.

NACELL collection
The NACELL collection covers language teaching and learning for young learners in the UK up to the end of Primary Education.

Teaching resources collection
This consists of materials currently marketed in the UK for modern language teaching and learning. Its prime purpose is to act as a comprehensive reference source for teachers and others needing to review and compare new course materials before deciding what to purchase. This collection...

  • covers modern languages which are offered under the National Curriculum and at other levels and age ranges in the UK
  • has selections of materials for English as a second language (for UK residents) and of bilingual readers in English and the languages of ethnic minority communities
  • holds materials in all commonly-encountered language teaching formats: books, photocopy masters, overhead transparencies, flashcards, role-play cards, magnetic strip cards (for Language Master machines), audio cassettes, video cassettes, CD-ROMs and other computer software
  • includes access to live satellite television broadcasts in a wide range of languages

Language teaching methodology collection
This covers not only methodological issues but also the many other areas of concern to teachers and researchers in MFL teaching. These include:

  • error analysis
  • social factors affecting language learning, e.g. dialect, equal opportunities, gender issues
  • psychology and language learning, including interlanguage, aptitude, ability, motivation, performance and language loss
  • testing, examining and assessment - research and practical guidance
  • organisation and administration of language departments
  • inspection and advice
  • teacher training, teacher supply and teacher appraisal
  • languages for special purposes, including business and industry
  • special needs and language teaching
  • official documents of various kinds, including those from DfES, OFSTED, and other organisations

The library holds copies of CILT publications, past and present.

Periodicals collection
This has in-depth coverage of foreign language teaching methodology titles, including major US journals and journals from countries where the the language is spoken as a mother tongue, e.g. Le français dans le monde from France. A few key English as a foreign language titles are also taken including TESOL Quarterly and the ELT Journal as are titles from related fields of applied linguistics and education. New issues of periodicals in the CILT Resources Library are regularly scanned for abstracting in Language Teaching (also held) which provides an invaluable index to significant articles in the collection.

Examinations collection
Provides an extensive range of materials from all major boards which examine languages in the UK. It includes recent papers, syllabuses, examiners' reports and other materials for GCSE, AS and A Level as well as business or vocational examinations and information about international examinations such as the International Baccalaureate. As with the Teaching Materials Collection, the emphasis is on current syllabuses and resources.

Other resources, which may be of particular interest to those carrying out research include:

  • the CILT Register of current research in language teaching and learning
  • the Council of Europe's modern language projects and other European initiatives
  • directories of education establishments
  • educational statistics and other works covering Education in general
  • encyclopaedias of language/linguistics
  • histories of language teaching
  • online (CD-ROM) course directories and bibliographies
  • reference grammars and dictionaries
  • surveys of language and business needs (see also Languages in the Workplace)
  • surveys of the world's languages
  • various indexes to theses and bibliographies