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Learn
More about Picture
This! (Part 2)
Oliva Fernandez, Marketing
Director, Adult and Higher
Education
Life
skill lessons are included regularly throughout Book 1,
and less often in Book 2 as the higher level graduates to more
open-ended communication and writing skills. It may be important to
note that life skills are presented in places throughout the chapters
which are not designated at the top of the page as "Life Skill," so
there is really more life skill practice than a couple of pages per
chapter.
Listening
skills are sharpened in a variety of ways, including
vocabulary presentation, repetition, and dictation. Speaking practice
within a chapter begins with vocabulary and dialog repetition, then
progresses to more open-ended communication like student-generated
dialogs based on dialog models.
Writing
practice: While writing is limited to practicing key
structures in Book 1, the writing practice in Book 2 becomes more
specific and formal. Writing lessons are included throughout; each
writing lesson is detailed and useful, providing examples as well as
practice for the specific writing issue.
The charts at the end of each chapter are quite handy. Included are
vocabulary listed by part
of speech, "expressions" (oral usage), pronunciation, and detailed
grammar charts. These
are useful when teaching, as well as for the student who reviews the
lesson as homework.
Each book has two multiple-choice tests, one halfway through, and the
other at the end of the book. Teachers who want to practice
standardized test taking skills can have students bubble in a Scantron
form as an answer sheet.
At the end of every chapter there is an audio-supported pronunciation
presentation and practice.
Pronunciation activities are varied and worthwhile and include lessons
such as differentiating
similar sounds, ending sounds, stress, and intonation.
Picture This! also includes an audio program (three
CDs for each level) with stories, conversations, most grammar
practices, life skill presentations, and pronunciation practices. The Teacher’s Edition
is interleaved, which means there is a copy of the student book page
next to the teaching notes for that page. It includes warm-up, language
and culture notes, expansion activities, and answer keys.
Picture This!
lends itself most distinctly to the adult education ESL student. The
purpose of the book is to help students master the basics so they can
use the language effectively. Grammar structures are practiced
regularly, but are generally very basic. The text may need to be
supplemented to conform to specific standards.*
__________
*Lifeskills and Test Prep [link to
online store] is a perfect partner to the series. –
Ed.
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