Teaching Approaches

Active Grammar

English in Common takes a "guided discovery" approach to grammar that invites

learners to think about grammar examples and work out the rules for themselves.

 Clear presentation and analysis

Each lesson has a clear grammar aim that is stated at the beginning of the
lesson. New language items are presented in context through reading and/or
listening. Then grammar rules are analyzed and explained through the
Active Grammar boxes in the lessons.

 Varied, regular practice

Once learners have grasped the rules, all new language is practiced in
various ways so that learners are able to use the grammar with confidence.
Practice activities include form-based exercises designed to help students
manipulate new structures, as well as more meaningful, personalized
practice. Additional grammar practice exercises can be found in the Unit
Wrap Up lessons at the end of each unit and in the Workbooks. The
Teacher's Resource Books also contain an extensive bank of photocopiable
grammar activities designed to practice the language in freer, more
communicative contexts.

 Accessible reference material

In addition to the explanations in the Active Grammar boxes, a Reference
page at the end of each unit summarizes the rules in greater detail and
provides extra information and examples.

Close >>

Vocabulary

English in Common recognizes the central role that vocabulary plays in successful
communication. The emphasis is on providing learners with high-frequency, useful
vocabulary that is regularly practiced and reviewed. New vocabulary is presented
and practiced in a variety of different ways:

 Warm Up pages contain essential vocabulary related to the unit topic

 Reading and listening texts offer vocabulary in context
 Vocabulary sections and related exercises feature word combinations
 Additional vocabulary practice is provided in the Unit Wrap Up lessons, the
Workbooks, and printable vocabulary worksheets in the Teacher's Resource
Book.

Close >>

Speaking

The key aim for most learners is spoken fluency. English in Common supports
fluency by providing:

 Interesting discussion topics that offer learners something to talk about

 Tasks that motivate learners to communicate
 Clear models that provide support for getting started
 How To boxes that teach key discourse strategies

All lessons feature pair work and group work speaking activities. Communication
Activities at the end of each unit engage learners in a variety of problem-solving
tasks and involve learners in a number of different skills – including speaking. In
addition, the Teacher's Resource Book contains printable interactive activities that
promote speaking practice.
Close >>

Listening

Listening is one of the most important and difficult skills to master. English in
Common pays particular attention to developing confidence in this area.

Listenings range in length and type from short conversations and announcements
to longer conversations, interviews, and excerpts from radio shows. Tasks range
from simple "Listen and check your answers" activities to more challenging ones
such as listening for gist, details, and making inferences. The recorded material
features a variety of native-speaker and non-native speaker accents. Extra
Listening in the ActiveBook at the back of each Student Book provides further
practice understanding the spoken word.

Close >>
Reading

There is a wide variety of readings in English in Common extending from simple

forms and advertisements to articles from newspapers and magazines to short
excerpts from novels.

Read More >>

Pronunciation

English in Common pays particular attention to pronunciation, which is integrated

into all the input lessons. The pronunciation syllabus includes word and sentence
stress, weak forms, intonation, and difficult sounds.

The Pronunciation Bank at the back of the Student Book includes a list of English
phonemes and guidance on sound-spelling correspondences and weak forms.

Close >>

Writing

As interest in globally-recognized standards and testing increases, writing is

becoming an increasingly important skill. English in Common acknowledges this by
including regular writing tasks in each unit.

These carefully structured exercises and examples are designed to ensure that
learners actually carry out the tasks. Models of emails, postcards, and formal and
informal letters are provided in the Writing Bank in the back of the Student Book.
Also included are additional advice and guidance on different writing mechanics
such as punctuation, spelling, and paragraph structure.
Close >>

Videos

Learners need exposure to authentic language in real world contexts. Authentic

video provides the opportunity to hear a variety of accents as well as natural speed
and delivery, and it provides visual support which increases confidence. The English
in Common videos expand on the language, functions, and topics presented in the
Student Books. There are six video segments available for each level of English in
Common.

The videos are located on ActiveTeach in the back of the Teacher’s Resource Books.
They can be shown through ActiveTeach, using a projector and a laptop in class.
Easy-to-use controls allow you to pause, fast forward, and change the size of the
image. Alternatively, the disc can be played on a conventional DVD player.

Printable video worksheets, video transcripts, and teaching notes are also available
on ActiveTeach in pdf format.