Job Discussion Forums

[rickinbeijing]

If you haven't come across them already in your quest for the Holy Textbook, I strongly recommend (with the caveat that I helped write them) the New Senior English for China (NSEC) for high intermediate learners and the Revised Senior English for China (SEFC) for lower intermediate learners. Both are published by People's Education Press and can be ordered online. I hope what follows doesn't smack of a free ad for the books. All of the units are new and the result of genuine collaboration among Chinese EFL educators, including in-service teachers, editors and foreign experts. Moreover, the graphics are new and improved. The cost, however, is much less than any imported, generic series and it includes translation exercises written by Chinese educators. Topics themselves were selected with input from Chinese students and teachers (such a novel concept!) and compare Chinese to Western culture. The teacher books aren't just glorified answer keys or car manuals but actual resource books, again providing additional optional readings and teaching strategies as well as enrichment activities. Nearly all tasks are integrated naturally and writing is featured. All articles and readings include background materials and Internet links. I'd be curious to know if any of you have tried either of these sets of books and what you and your students thought of them.

[struelle]

Hmm ... sounds interesting. I haven't seen those books before, but from what you write it's a step up from the old Oxford series. One question though, is there Chinglish in the books or did they hire native English speakers to edit them?

Steve

[millie]

Hello RickinBeijing,

It appears to be a very worthwhile project. Congratulations are in order.

So given you are spruiking your wares
do you have ISBN’s for the Students’ and Teachers’ book for both NSEC and SEFC please?

(As well to answer Steve’s question: Yes, the books have been edited/proof read by a NES.)

TIA
M

[rickinbeijing]

First, let me make this clear: I receive no compensation, including royalties, for posting this here.

Yes, native english speakers were involved in all phases of the editing (as the term foreign expert indicates). And all of these "experts" spent time observing Chinese EFL classes for dissertation fieldwork prior to joining the PEP team. When European experts were employed, NES consulted. Moreover, this is the first Chinese-produced textbook series in which all grammar exercises were written by NES.

SEFC textbook ISBN: 107-16833-9/G/9923
NSEC textbook ISBN: 7-107-17702-8/G/ 10791

Prices range from 9 RMB to 15 RMB each. A steal.

Or contact: www.pep.com.cn