Korean Job Discussion Forums

[tumbleweed_marijane]

im considering using it as a textbook for my students in 4th and 5th grade.but im a bit sceptical about it because it might be too 'america' oriented and not really relevant to them.i made the mistake of using a book called "All Star" by Mcgraw Hill, where we learnt everything american...so

im not against america but i just dont see how all that 'info' will be useful to korean kids.

so...my q., is the book good enough in spite of...and how all-round is it?
anyone else use it as a textbook in class and for what grade students?

[mrsquirrel]

Headway is dry.

really dry.

Try using Interchange for teens. It's a lot more teen focused and up to date.

[kat2]

I"m not against Headway, but I think its too old for 4th and 5th graders. I once used a book called "best friends." It was for kids that age, but quite advanced. I've never seen it since and I don't know where my school found it, but you might want to consider it. My kdis really liked it.

[mrsquirrel]

Sorry wrong book it's not called interchange


It's called Adventures

http://www.oup.com/elt/catalogue/isbn/2030?cc=th

[some waygug-in]

I used to like Headway, but have since gotten over my past delusions.


It's way too grammar oriented and the exercises are often more of a hindrance to learning than a help.

EX: I don't know how many times I would be going through a past tense close exercise in class and Headway always lists the infinitive as a "hint" so the students will know the right verb.

The problem being the students always just repeat the infinitive and never learn the past form. It would have been far more useful if the book had listed the past forms on the side and then the students could choose from there.

That's just one example, there are other things too.


I suggest you use a reading book, something like "Totally True".

The focus is on comprehension and improving reading skills, not so much on grammar. The stories are a lot more interesting as well.


I don't know if your students are advanced enough though.

[Donkey Beer]

It's one of the most boring books to teach. You just sit there with the tape as kids performs the same boring exercises repeatedly.

If you're lazy and don't want to do much work it's nice.

[tumbleweed_marijane]

[tumbleweed_marijane]

shurkiya, all.

this means that next time im off to the bookstore, i'll have somewhere to start from.

[plokiju]

[aja21]

You could also try "Expressways"..there are 4 levels wit a text, workbook, and a teachers manual with many extension activities. The students learn expressions and vocabulary they can use in everyday situations.
I was doing American Headway and the kids did not like it..then we switched to Expressways and they did a lot of speaking for the activities. The chapters are themed, so you can make extra worksheets based on the theme if you wish.