New Interchange

[YFC Thailand]

I have recently taken the position of EFL coordinator and teacher at a lanuage school in Bangkok, Thailand for Thai University students. We teach conversational English skills to University students. The previous coordinator had the school set up to teach the students on 3 levels of English speaking ability: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Beginner and Intermediate level students are taught using Cambridge Universities New Interchange course (beginners are taught using the intro book and intermediate students are taught using course book 1). Advanced students are taught using materials that the previous coordinator made herself.

The previous coordinator has expressed concerns about the hardships of not dividing the school into 5 classes having 3 levels of intermediate courses (pre-intermediate, intermediate, and upper-intermediate). She has suggested that I write my own materials for pre-intermediate and upper-intermediate courses.

I was wondering if someone help me out with the following questions:

1.Does anyone here use the New Interchange coursebooks? Is it a decent course for university students? Is there another course that may be better suited to teach university students? Can someone give me a basic rundown on their thoughts on New Interchange?

2.Can the 5 levels (Beginner, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper-Intermediate, Advanced) be covered by New Interchange?

I appreciate as many prompt responses as possible. Right now I am giving myself these 3 options:

1.Use a different course other than New Interchange that covers 5 levels of English studies and would be suitable for University students.

2.Continue the school as it's been going but write my own material for pre-intermediate and upper-intermediate students.

3.If New Interchange can cover 5 levels of English study then I will buy the books and materials to do so.

The school opens again in 2 months which does not give me much time here especially if I write my own materials. Thanks for your help!