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Interactions 1, Listening/Speaking (Bk. 1) ReviewBOOK REVIEW
By Shih-Wei Lin
The book, Interactions 1 Listening/Speaking 4th Edition, is written by Judith Tanka, Paul Most, and Lida R. Baker. It was published by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. in 2002, and the ISBN number is 0-07-233063-5. It is a textbook for ESL/EFL students who are in the beginning to low intermediate level and it can be used to improve students¡¦ listening and speaking ability. I would like to evaluate the book from its appearance, content, and additional materials.
The appearance of the book is neither special nor attractive. However, people cannot judge a book by its cover. When I skimmed over the book, I found that the illustrations in the book are vivid, the photographs are excellent, and the charts go along very well with the text. Besides these, the book is printed on recycled, acid-free paper with 10.5 or 12 Time Roman. It has only 270 pages and the size is not larger than A4 paper. Therefore, the book is durable and convenient for students to carry and use.
To evaluate the content of this textbook, I would analyze the learning theories and the organization used in this book, and assess the quality and quantity of the exercises. First of all, the methods adapted in the book are Audioligual Method (ALM) and Communicative Language Teaching (CLT), but it does not focus on grammar translating and explaining. Like ALM it uses charts or tables to show sentence patterns so that students have lots of drills in speaking. Teachers can use tapes or CDs for students to practice listening and imitate the intonation. It also has a special practice section on pronunciation, which gives students practice stressing or reducing words. In CLM, it provides various listening and speaking activities to connect the classroom to real life, including role-plays, presentations, interviews, pair work, and small group discussion.
Secondly, the textbook is well organized. In the beginning of each chapter, the text gives students adequate guidance and a preview of the upcoming materials. Each chapter is composed of four parts, Listening to Conversation, Recalling Main Ideas, Focused listening and speaking, and Listening and speaking in the real life. All exercises are from simple to complex and the materials are related to each topic.
Third, the quantity of practice is sufficient. A chapter has three reading, five writing, ten listening, and ten speaking exercises. Since this is a listening/speaking textbook, the amount of practice is adequate. In addition, the quality is excellent. There are fourteen chapters and each chapter focuses on different topics, including school life, family, community, and cultures of the world. It also has Cross-cultural Notes, which gives students information about diverse cultures. These exercises contain both controlled and free practice. For example, a fill-in-the-blank activity is a controlled exercise, because the answers are limited. However, the open-ended discussion questions are free exercises. Students have the chance to practice and extend listening and speaking skills. These free exercises help students communicate in real life.
The textbook provides plenty of additional materials for teachers and students. In the back of the book, there is an appendix and typescripts for extra reading and reference. An instructor¡¦s manual, five videos and CDs are available at extra cost for teachers. The textbook provides a website, www.mhcontemporary.com/interactionsmosaic, which has a student center and an instructor center. Students can practice listening online, and find chapter outlines and other specific information. Teachers can link to other websites for resources and related reading.
Generally speaking, this textbook is very recent, having been published in 2002. The information is updated, the materials are various, and the content is abundant. Since listening and speaking are the major features of the text, it provides enough practice to improve students¡¦ listening and speaking abilities. Moreover, the exercises are so interesting and real that they attract students¡¦ attention and connect with real life. I highly recommend this book for ESL/EFL students who are in the beginning to low intermediate level, and for teachers who want to teach listening/speaking to ESL/EFL students at this level.
Shih-Wei Lin is a graduate student at Western Kentucky and wrote this review as an assignment for ENG 470G: TESL Methods and Materials.
Interactions 1, Listening/Speaking (Bk. 1) Overview"Interactions Mosaic 4th Edition" is the newly expanded five-level, four-skill comprehensive ESL/ELT series for academic students. The new edition, for beginners to advanced learners, incorporates interactive and communicative activities while still focusing on skill building to prepare students for academic content. Reading, writing, listening and speaking, as well as grammar are thoroughly presented in each strand. High-interest themes are integrated across all skill strands and levels. Language proficiencies as well are articulated from level to level. New features include: global activities are suitable for ESL/ELT monolingual or multilingual classrooms; new design, content, audio programs, photos, and illustrations reinforce skill-building exercises; placement tests and chapter quizzes are included in each Instructor's Manual; user-friendly instructions, complete scope and sequence, and consistent chapter structure offer greater flexibility in lesson planning; new videos, one per level, immerse students in authentic language.Program components include: Student Texts, Instructor's Manuals, Audio Programs for L/S and Reading (Audiocassettes/CDs) L/S Assessment, Audiocassettes, and CDs, Reading Student Audio CDs, Program CD/ROM, Video Demo, and Audiocassette Student Book. The Student Books of the new 4th edition of "Interactions Mosaic" have completely updated photos and illustrations and sport a new design. Global activities are suitable for ESL and ELT monolingual or multilingual classrooms. User-friendly instructions appeal to both instructor and student. A complete scope and sequence is presented at the beginning of each book. Consistent chapter structure creates greater flexibility in lesson planning. "Mosaic 2" (High Beginning - Low Intermediate) Listening/Speaking Scope and Sequence includes: Listening Strategies, Listening Skills, Language Functions, Speaking Tasks, Focus on Testing, Lecture Topics, Video Topics. Chapter Structure: In This Chapter gives students a preview of the upcoming material; Did You Know? sparks students' interest and activates their prior knowledge of the topic; Part 1 Listening to Conversations presents an introductory conversation and focuses on the rhythm and intonation of natural language through stress and reduction activities; Before You Listen activates students' prior knowledge through pre-listening questions and a vocabulary preview; Pairwork encourages peer teaching and correction; Listen guides students to listen to both main ideas and specific information; Note Taking Strategies, such as writing key words, categorizing, and outlining, are taught.It also includes: After You Listen reinforces students' understanding of the conversation through comprehension questions and a vocabulary review; Groupwork maximizes opportunities for discussion and negotiation; Test-Taking Strategies vital for success on standardized tests are practiced throughout; Role-Plays simulate situations that use a variety of language functions to increase and enhance students' fluency; Cross-Cultural Notes give students new perspectives on various cultures; Talk It Over provides students with authentic speaking opportunities, such as interviews, surveys, and debates; Listening and Speaking in the Real World offers a variety of practical listening and speaking activities, including role-plays, presentations, small-group discussions, and pairwork. Real-Life Listening connects the classroom to real life through real-world situations, understanding of context, and test-taking opportunities; Video News Broadcasts immerse students in authentic language, complete with scaffolding and follow-up activities to reinforce listening and speaking skills.Chapter Themes (12) include: School Life Around the World; Experiencing Nature; Living to Eat or Eating to Live; In the Community Home Cultures of the World; Health Entertainment and the Media; Social Life Customs, Celebrations, and Holidays; Science and Technology.
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