hard time finding a textbook for advanced level speaking
Posted: Tue May 03, 2016 1:16 am
I'm looking for a textbook for a high level conversation class, where the students are only interested in conversation practice - no reading or writing activities, although some listening might not go amiss. We've been using a book from their old conversation class (an in-house one produced by their old school) but will be finishing it soon.
So far the closest I've got is the Compelling Conversations book. That seems good but has a rather boring layout - for example the long unbroken lists of questions (although good as conversation starters will feel very monotonous to work through) and lack of any imagery to spice things up a bit. Also was looking at the advanced level New Headway which was great but a lot of the activities weren't suitable for our conversation-only class.
Has anyone had a similar class and have any suggestions?! Is there anything else out there that I'm missing?
P.S. I've suggested not using a textbook, and instead do a variety of other open conversation and activities, but the students really weren't interested. They're older very traditionally-minded Japanese students and apparently they'd feel better having a textbook to reassure them that they're really studying! Prep time is also going to be short.
So far the closest I've got is the Compelling Conversations book. That seems good but has a rather boring layout - for example the long unbroken lists of questions (although good as conversation starters will feel very monotonous to work through) and lack of any imagery to spice things up a bit. Also was looking at the advanced level New Headway which was great but a lot of the activities weren't suitable for our conversation-only class.
Has anyone had a similar class and have any suggestions?! Is there anything else out there that I'm missing?
P.S. I've suggested not using a textbook, and instead do a variety of other open conversation and activities, but the students really weren't interested. They're older very traditionally-minded Japanese students and apparently they'd feel better having a textbook to reassure them that they're really studying! Prep time is also going to be short.