'Pirated' ESL material?
 

Did you realise that pirated ESL material is more and more widely available from sites like eDonkey, eSnips etc.?

Would you use it?

(note the use of 'would' instead of 'do', linguists)

Re: 'Pirated' ESL material?
 

I'm teaching English in China.... what isn't pirated in China?

Re: 'Pirated' ESL material?
 

I don't think i would really be bothered to download pirate ESL material.

Is there even such a market?

Re: 'Pirated' ESL material?
 

It's not a market as such, it's that people rip the audio from headway, for example, and convert it to mp3s where you can download it for free. Or you can get a soft copy of Azar that makes it easy to print out worksheets.

Re: 'Pirated' ESL material?
 

It seems like a real hassle. I'd rather buy it than waste the time.

But I have heard(read) idiots on other forums boasting about how they signed up for subscription ESL service websites, downloaded everything and copied it to various CDs they passed around.

Re: 'Pirated' ESL material?
 

On the other hand, if you desperately need materials for your course tomorrow, it gets more tempting...


Depends how PC savvy you are. It can be quite easy.

Re: 'Pirated' ESL material?
 

Hi there,
Interesting question. I don't know what it's like in other countries but here in Italy I just go and see the publisher's rep with a written request for books, cds etc and he hands them over. Therefore pirated material doesn't really come into it.
However, if you can't get hold of what you need and tomorrow's exam is looming, well, what's the harm?

It wouldn't be such a bad idea for publishers such as Macmillan, Oxford etc to have teachers sign up who could then access an audio database. What does anyone else think?

Re: 'Pirated' ESL material?
 

That sounds like a good idea. Teacher's could sign up and listen then and maybe get some updates about new books. Actually it would be a great way for the Publishers to advertise as well as the teacher's will be picking the books for the students!!

Re: 'Pirated' ESL material?
 

i think in the future it will be a strong possibility.

For example, I heard that the BBC has plans to put their entire audio and video archives online for people to download free of charge.

That means Monty Python, educational videos etc...

Re: 'Pirated' ESL material?
 

There's nothing like giving something away for free to improve business. The publishers would also get more loyalty from teachers \ school directors etc.
Hmmm, a letter off to OUP methinks . . .