Teacher Discussion Forums

Hi all,

Please can you help me choose the right textbook for my students. I am teaching a class of 7/8 adult (22-40 year-olds) Taiwanese students right now with an awful company textbook. But in a couple of weeks I can change to any textbook I want.

They are pre-intermediate level but I feel they are quite weak so it could be reviewed. My adult students want to practise more speaking: good pronunciation and fluency.

Is there a textbook you'd recommend for this situation?

I feel HeadWay is a good standard but I think there is still a little too much grammar. I see 'English File' describes itself as the course that get students talking - does anyone know how is it different from the others?

I also would like to uses readers with my new adult course - ones where they can listen to the story at home, and ideally tie in with the textbook.

I'd appreciate advice on this matter.

Sincerely,

Asa Jones.

My suggestions would be Side by Side or American Streamline.

Side by Side is good as it is probably the most well-known/respected "English only" series of books in the country. It will also give a lot of practice.

"Streamline" will show a little less grammar and show less structured practice in the main book, but gives you more ways to use each lesson. The down side is that OUP only sells it through one chain in Taiwan (not always the most convenient).

Usually, I will use "Streamline" as my main text and use "Side by Side" to supplement it when I come across something that needs a little more practice.