New Interchange Student's book 2 : English for International Communication (New Interchange English for International Communication)

Rating:
Summary: A good and useful series for ESL teacher.
Review: Having never used the first edition of this series, I picked up New Interchange Level 1 so that I could have a structured series to help my students learn general basic English skills. I have been pleased, and find that overall it is a good series to teach from. THE GOOD: Each chapter in New Interchange has a good variety of skills to learn and practice. Students are constantly engaged in reading, writing, listening, speaking, learning new vocabulary and practicing new grammar rules. The content isn't too heavy, and the book makes good use of color and white space so as not to overwhelm the student. I find that the structure of each chapter is constant and reliable so that the students become used to how things are done. The tapes and Teacher's Guide are invaluable! The workbook provides additional practice of concepts that the students have just learned in the student book. All of these resources combine to make it incredibly easy for me (as a teacher) to prepare and give good lessons. THE BAD: I have found that my students are often confused with the grammar exercises. What may seem like clear-cut explanations to a native English speaker obviously aren't that clear to the learners. I am also a little saddened by the fact that each chapter really doesn't go into great depth for any one skill or theme. Each skill is presented, learned and practiced in what sometimes feels like a rushed manner. I have also found it difficult to present an entire chapter in two one-and-a-half hour sessions, as the authors suggest. OVERALL: A good series with lots of skills practice. It is very useful for learners who want to study a variety of general English skills. Very nice for overworked teachers who don't have a lot of time to prepare lessons.

Rating:
Summary: A good and useful series for ESL teacher.
Review: Having never used the first edition of this series, I picked up New Interchange Level 1 so that I could have a structured series to help my students learn general basic English skills. I have been pleased, and find that overall it is a good series to teach from. THE GOOD: Each chapter in New Interchange has a good variety of skills to learn and practice. Students are constantly engaged in reading, writing, listening, speaking, learning new vocabulary and practicing new grammar rules. The content isn't too heavy, and the book makes good use of color and white space so as not to overwhelm the student. I find that the structure of each chapter is constant and reliable so that the students become used to how things are done. The tapes and Teacher's Guide are invaluable! The workbook provides additional practice of concepts that the students have just learned in the student book. All of these resources combine to make it incredibly easy for me (as a teacher) to prepare and give good lessons. THE BAD: I have found that my students are often confused with the grammar exercises. What may seem like clear-cut explanations to a native English speaker obviously aren't that clear to the learners. I am also a little saddened by the fact that each chapter really doesn't go into great depth for any one skill or theme. Each skill is presented, learned and practiced in what sometimes feels like a rushed manner. I have also found it difficult to present an entire chapter in two one-and-a-half hour sessions, as the authors suggest. OVERALL: A good series with lots of skills practice. It is very useful for learners who want to study a variety of general English skills. Very nice for overworked teachers who don't have a lot of time to prepare lessons.

Rating:
Summary: Getting Better!
Review: The latest edition of "Interchange" is certainly an improvement on the original. Teachers who have been using the old book for years will be relieved to see agonizing sections from the old book removed. And the subject material and sequencing of grammar,listening and speaking activities is better too. The workbook is also vastly superior to the old workbook . However, one of the major weaknesses of the old book still remains-the Teacher's Book. The lack of an abundance of really good speaking and grammar activities forces the teacher to do a large amount of preparation work. Here's a tip- supplement Interchange with Heinemann's "Reward Resource Books".