Take Charge! A Student Centered Approach To English, Book 1: Bk. 1 - Softcover

Diolata, Edna

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0070444277 ISBN 13: 9780070444270

Publisher: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 1997

Synopsis

Take Charge! is a two-level series for teaching English to adults. Level One of Take Charge! is for students who have had little exposure to English and are not fully literate in their first language. Level Two is intended for more advanced beginners who have some English skills and a solid native literacy background. Both levels of the Take Charge! program feature: a student-centered approach; a focus on useful language; opportunities for authentic communication; early literacy training; practice in critical thinking skills; an optional grammar component. Perhaps the most unique aspect of the Take Charge! program is its focus on student-centered teaching which helps students empower themselves in language learning and ultimately, in everyday life. In the words of Brazilian educator Paulo Freire: "Adult education should have as one of its main tasks to invite people to believe in themselves. It should invite people to believe that they have knowledge." Take Charge! is designed to actively involve students in the language-learning process. Adult learners bring with them a rich variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. This series helps teachers make the most of these resources - providing personal motivation for each individual and a more exciting and effective learning environment for everyone. Flexible Learning Components Both levels of the Take Charge! program feature the following components: Student Text: At each level, the Student Text features the basic language students need to function in a variety of contexts in the English-speaking community. The Student Text contains meaningful learning tasks and provides many opportunities for students to communicate with one another in English. Each unit includes a balance of practice in the four language skills. Throughout the series, students are invited to engage in critical thinking and reflection about personal experiences as well as current social issues. Grammar Workbook: The Grammar Workbook can be used with or without the Student Text. At each level, the Grammar Workbook contains simple explanations of all grammar items that appear in the corresponding Student Text, along with several practice exercises. Teacher's Manual: Both Teacher's Manuals contain step-by step suggestions for presenting all Student Text and Grammar Workbook lessons. Each lesson in the Teacher's Manual opens with a general explanation and overview of the material covered in that lesson, followed by detailed teaching suggestions. Audio Program: At each level, the Audio Program contains vocabulary words for students to repeat, listening activities, practice dialogues, and other exercise material. If the teacher chooses to provide oral input in person, the Audio Program can be used for individual or small-group review and practice. A complete tapescript for the Audio Program can be found at the back of the Student Text. Ideal for low-beginning ESL students.

About this title

From the Publisher

Furthermore, while the Take Charge! books both feature strong thematic organization and clearly defined language goals, instructors should feel free to make changes and additions based on student input both stated and implied. This series is intended to provide material for the teacher to draw from and to expand on as he or she addresses the students' particular needs and interests.
Each student book features 10 twelve-page units. In addition, Book One feature a special "Before Unit One" to help students who begin the course with minimal literacy in their own native language. In both student text, each unit follows the same basic chapter structure, enabling beginning students to quickly understand key directions and concentrate on improving their language skills.
Unit themes are fairly similar in both student texts. However, the information presented in these units varies greatly, according to proficiency level. It is assumed that high-beginning students will have a mastery of such basic topics as the alphabet, numerals, time, etc. so they are either not presented in Book Two, or they are presented in a much higher-level fashion.
In both student texts, units open with a large illustration (drawn by the author), which introduces the theme and some of the key vocabulary for the unit. Students are invited to discuss the drawing with a partner and ask questions before moving on with the lesson. This technique helps activate students' prior knowledge of the topic and provides a framework for the unit.
Much of the content in both student books centers around issues that relate directly to the students' lives. In addition, special "Cultural Notes" appear in each unit of Book 2, helping students understand interesting aspects of North American life.
A "Two-Way Review" section is found at the back of all units at both levels, offering students the ability to work with a partner and review key information together.
All grammar introduced in both student texts is expanded in the accompanying workbooks. Grammar points are highlighted in the student text with a "Grammar Check" icon. These topics appear in the workbook in the same order as they were introduced in the student text. In both workbooks, full grammar explanations are provided, along with numerous exercises and activities for student practice.

Book Description

DISTINCTIONS The Take Charge! student-centered philosophy emphasizes that the student is just as valid a source of knowledge as the teacher, and thus should be encouraged to take an active role in making curriculum decisions. Topics found in the materials encourage active student participation and discussion. Furthermore, while the Voices of Tomorrow books both feature strong thematic organization and clearly defined language goals, instructors should feel free to make changes and additions based on student input--both stated and implied. This series is intended to provide material for the teacher to draw from and to expand on as he or she addresses the students' particular needs and interests. Each student book features 10 twelve-page units. In addition, Book One features a special Before Unit One to help students who begin the course with minimal literacy in their own native language. In both student texts, each unit follows the same basic chapter structure, enabling beginning students to quickly understand key directions and concentrate on improving their language skills. Unit themes are fairly similar in both student texts. However, the information presented in these units varies greatly, according to proficiency level. It is assumed that high beginning students will have a mastery of such basic topics as the alphabet, numerals, time, etc. -- so they are either not presented in Book Two, or they are presented in a much higher-level fashion. In both student texts, units open with a large illustration (drawn by the author), which introduces the theme and some of the key vocabulary for the unit. Students are invited to discuss the drawing with a partner and ask questions before moving on with the lesson. This technique helps activate student's prior knowledge of the topic and provides a framework for the unit. Much of the content in both student books centers around issues that relate directly to the student's lives. In addition, special Cultural Notes appear in each unit, helping students understand interesting aspects of North American life. A Two-Way Review section is found at the back of all units, offering students the ability to work with a partner and review key information together. All grammar introduced in both student texts is expanded in the accompanying workbooks. Grammar points are highlighted in the student text with a Grammar Check icon. These topics appear in the workbook in the same order as they were introduced in the student text. In both workbooks, full grammar explanations are provided, along with numerous exercises and activities for student practice.

Edition details

• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Higher Education
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0070444277
• ISBN 13: 9780070444270
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320