Chris Gough (Macmillan Publishers Limited 2009)
ISBNs Student Book Elementary 1: 978-0 230-02914-9, Teacher’s File [download from http://www.macmillanenglish.com/Product.aspx?id=42752]
This book is aimed at introducing the student to more effective reading practices in a 4-level course, and targets the first level: the high-beginner. The student book is backed up with a teacher’s file available on download.
The student’s book is divided into 12 chapters of interesting and varied topics. Each chapter is further divided into pre-reading, comprehension, grammar, speaking, effective reading skills and finishes off with a 2-part review. A short story is included for further reading. The student book is well designed with subtle colours used to define certain areas of the book eg review pages are green. The occasional use of a photograph or cartoon is not over-used and relevant. The quality of the cartoons at times is debateable, especially if pages are photocopied.
The teacher’s file is available on download, and includes additional photcopiable activities and vocabulary reviews. It is well laid out and easy to use alongside the student book.
In general, the student book is well constructed and the broad range of topics should interest a wide variety of students from various cultures. The use of subtle colours and well laid out exercises, does present the student with an easy-to-follow structure. The book is an effective addition to a student’s English progression, and should improve their reading skills, as promoted on the publisher’s back cover.
Hazel Anderson
Freelance