Korean Job Discussion Forums

Little Laura · Joined: 11 Feb 2004 Location: On the trails with my dog

Going to Kyobo on Friday to pick out a textbook for an adult conversation class. I'll put in my time sitting on the floor in a corner in the back pouring through the offerings, but would appreciate hearing from anyone who's found one they're happy with.

Thanks!

Oh - beginner level.

Kim Jong Jordan · Joined: 13 Mar 2004 Location: The Internet

i just selected New Interchange - the intro series (beginner level) for my beginner level teachers class.

poet13 · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 4:48 pm Post subject:

I found side-by-side very useful. I break the class into functional groups of three and four persons. We lecture a little, learn new vocabulary, practise the sounds, plurals, and the verb to-be, and then I get themto practise. I go to each group, spend a minute and listen and correct.

butlerian · Joined: 04 Sep 2006 Location: Korea

Interchange is a good all-rounder, and Jazz English is good for conversation.

Hanson · Joined: 20 Oct 2004

Ones I've used in the past and grade I'd give them:

Impact Series - average for guided free-talking and there are readings in every unit that can be benificial, but boring. I'd give it a C.

Firsthand I & II - very good for lower levels, very communicative; Firsthand I being much more controlled activities, and Firsthand II being a little freer. I'd give it an A.

New Interchange Series - good all-around textbooks. They have activities that focus on all four English skills as well as a little pronunciation. B+

World View Series - good for listening and conversation. There are a lot of vocabulary-building exercises. B+

Touchstone Series - This is relatively new, and I don't know much about it, but the publishing rep was pushing this new series.

Headway Series - there is the American Headway, New American Headway, and the "British" New Headway - they are similar to New Interchange in that they do focus on all language skills. B

Passages 1 and 2 - Quite decent intermediate/advanced textbooks with a lot of grammar focus and conversation practice based on the grammar points. B

Talk Your Head Off - I personally hate this book with a passion. It has no progression and seems to be half-assed. D-

Duane Vorghees (or wahtever his name is) Discussion Series - Ok for filler activities now and then, but not a main textbook by any means. C

Discussion Strategies - good for serious students who don't mind rolling up their sleeves and looking at the specifics of conversation in English (asking for repetition, clarification, asking for and giving opinions, etc). There is no grammar, but all the exercises are built around oral communication (lots of listening and speaking). Again, probably not great for everyday use. B+

Communication Strategies by David Paul - good for intermediate and advanced students, but very repetitive with tons of role plays. There is some good vocabulary-building activities here too, but it's a little dry. Lots of prep needed for this textbook, but once you've set yourself up, it would be ok. C+

Hope that helps...

kimchi_pizza · Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 12:21 am Post subject:

Top Notch Fundamentals, Level 1 and Level 2.

gsxr750r · Joined: 29 Jan 2007

.

And for when they say, "Teacher! Game!":

poet13 · Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 12:49 am Post subject:

gsxr750r....somebody had to. Thank you.

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

Everyday Conversation... or something like that.

I liked using it.

drkalbi · Joined: 06 Aug 2006

Ultra English series. Made for Korean students. Has a really good flow. I've been using them for about 3 years and have had no problems or complaints.

gang ah jee · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: city of paper

I'm a Cutting Edge fan myself.

spyro25 · Joined: 23 Nov 2004

i like cutting edge too, it is noted by TBLT researchers like Ellis as being part of a more TBLT approach. new interchange got slammed a little bit for being too PPP, but whatever works for you is fine.

oni · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: Seoul

American Headway. Plus the activity book which has about 2 interesting conversation activities for each unit sorry can't remember specific name different from teacher's guide

Little Laura · Joined: 11 Feb 2004 Location: On the trails with my dog

Thanks all. About Side by Side, it worked okay for me when I taught ESL in the States, but it's a bit - oh, what's that word, you folks who've studied TESL - like, old style teaching method - ASL? Audio-lingual? A bit too controlled and drill oriented. Plus maybe too oriented to situations you'd face in the West. I'm going to be teaching ajumas! Who are all friends of mine. We want to have fun, a lot of practice exercises with some freedom.

Anyway, I feel better prepared now to shop. Thanks again. Special thanks to Hanson for his book reviews.

gsxr750r · Joined: 29 Jan 2007

Side By Side is an excellent supplement which provides practice and drills to help students get the feel for correct sentence order, verb endings, structure, etc.

It is not the be-all-end-all by any means, but it is an excellent supplement for daily practice.