harrmal vitoria gavrellah
Arlyne Doepner
Review: A Conversation Book: English in Everyday Life by Tina Kasloff Carver and Sandra Douglas Fotinos-Riggs
A Conversation Book: English in Everyday Life is a series of textbooks for learners of English as a second or foreign language. The books aim to help students develop their speaking and listening skills through realistic dialogues, role plays, pair work, and group activities. The books cover a variety of topics related to everyday life, such as greetings, introductions, family, health, shopping, transportation, and leisure.
The books are divided into two volumes: Volume 1 focuses on basic survival skills and social situations, while Volume 2 covers more complex and abstract topics such as culture, opinions, and emotions. Each volume consists of 20 units, each with a main theme and several subtopics. Each unit contains four parts: Warm Up, Conversation Practice, Listening Practice, and Expansion Activities. The Warm Up section introduces the vocabulary and grammar points for the unit, the Conversation Practice section provides model dialogues and exercises to practice speaking, the Listening Practice section offers listening comprehension tasks based on authentic materials, and the Expansion Activities section suggests further activities to extend the learning beyond the classroom.
The books are designed for beginner to intermediate level students who want to improve their conversational skills in English. The books are suitable for both self-study and classroom use. The books are accompanied by audio CDs that contain the recordings of the dialogues and listening materials. The books also have a teacher's guide that provides additional information, tips, and suggestions for teaching with the books.
A Conversation Book: English in Everyday Life is a useful and engaging resource for learners who want to practice their spoken English in a natural and meaningful way. The books offer a variety of topics, activities, and exercises that cater to different learning styles and preferences. The books are also rich in cultural information and insights that can help learners understand and appreciate the diversity of English-speaking communities. The books are highly recommended for anyone who wants to enhance their communication skills in English.
One of the strengths of A Conversation Book: English in Everyday Life is its use of authentic and natural language. The dialogues and listening materials are based on real-life situations and conversations that learners might encounter in their daily lives. The language is not simplified or artificial, but reflects the way people actually speak in different contexts and registers. The books also expose learners to different accents and varieties of English from around the world, such as American, British, Australian, Canadian, and Indian English.
Another strength of A Conversation Book: English in Everyday Life is its emphasis on communicative competence and interaction. The books do not only teach learners the forms and functions of the language, but also the strategies and skills to use it effectively and appropriately. The books encourage learners to express themselves, share their opinions, ask questions, negotiate meaning, and cooperate with others. The books also foster learners' critical thinking and problem-solving skills by presenting them with realistic challenges and tasks that require them to apply their language knowledge and skills.
A possible limitation of A Conversation Book: English in Everyday Life is that it may not cover all the topics and situations that learners need or want to learn. The books are based on a general curriculum that aims to cover the most common and relevant topics for everyday life, but they may not address the specific needs and interests of individual learners or groups. For example, some learners may want to learn more about academic or professional topics, or about specific cultures or countries. Therefore, teachers and learners may need to supplement the books with other materials or sources that suit their goals and preferences.
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