Dear Arrogant One,

It all depends on your perspective in Language acquisition and which University you attended.
There are conflicting theories, whether you teach Top down or bottom up.
Top down is teaching through topics which is a lot more interesting to the learners. Pick a topic from the newspaper, or for example-going for a job interview. Here is good scope for free talking , as well as some that the teacher has thought relavent to teach.
Bottoms up is teaching the smaller aspects of language such as phonics. It's the nuts and bolts, very dry without the thematic approach. This is why you will notice books with major and minor objectives-the major objective is the theme and related conversation, with some phonics practice.

As for books, every Korean likes to possess a book, it's a source of great pride. We were told that photocopied handouts were like sh#t, and were thrown onto the ground. Books are useful for the family to see progress, as the parents often know English, and like to see at home what the student has covered during the lesson. Often brothers and sisters go to different classes or schools and compare notes at home to get value for money.
I guess in your case teaching older students, they can review the material at home, or you can use the book as a prompt for conversation.

In my case when I was teaching in Korea, I didn't have any books. When my director said "Wow what a great job you are doing and what are you doing?"
I replied "I'm teaching them nothing but garbage( I obtained some books out of the recycling section of the garbage-outside the apartments).

Love from Beatrix.