Garnet Education, 2009. - 69 p.
This text from the University of Reading's Centre for Applied Language Studies is part of their English for academic study series that also includes reading, writing, extended writing and research skills, listening, vocabulary and pronunciation. The course book is aimed at university students and students preparing for IELTS, with an IELTS level of between 5.0 and
7.0. It consists of 10 topic-based units, with discussion and presentation skills linked to the topic of each unit. Each unit has a skills focus and a language focus, and the written and listening texts within each unit are designed to give different perspectives on a topic and to help students to give supporting evidence to their ideas. This format is a welcome change from the more usual skills-based approach of texts on presentation and discussion skills. Particularly at a more advanced level, it can be frustrating trying to find suitable topics for discussion and presentations, and a lot of time can be spent on trying to find valuable and relevant content in order to discuss or present a topic in any depth. This book solves that problem with topics that should be of interest to a large number of students. These topics range from learning online to science and the paranormal. My initial concern was the length of time it would take to work through the topics in the book to achieve all the necessary speaking skills, however, the core skills are confined to the first six units. The remaining four units give further practice, making it quite manageable. I particularly like the inclusion of a review unit after every two units, and the 'learner diary' section at the end of each unit. The 'learner diary' sections aim to develop learner reflection and begin with a self-assessment tasks in unit 1 and reflective diary entries in the following units. A variety of feedback forms including presentation assessments, discussion reviews and an audience feedback sheet are also included. One aspect of speaking skills for academic purposes that I would have liked to have seen covered is ways of approaching lecturers and tutors, however this is a minor omission. I feel that students who had worked through this book in class would be more than adequately prepared for the majority of speaking situations university life is likely to throw at them -Laura Hasely, Bridging Programmes, University of Canterbury.
There is a learner diary at the end of each unit to help students think about the process of learning and the strategies they are developing. The unit topics are as follows: - being a successful student; - earning online; - changing roles in the family; - a healthy lifestyle; - the influence of the media; - the world of work; - protecting the environment; - science and the paranormal; - and studying in a new environment. The 2009 edition of EAS Speaking has been fully revised for ease of use, while retaining the same popular topics. As well as a new format, the Course Book now comes with unit summaries and a comprehensive glossary of terms. Each unit has weblinks offering additional information and activities, related to both speaking skills and the topics covered in the units. A dedicated website, www.englishforacademicstudy.com, offers further teacher resources. This book can be used in conjunction with the following books in the English for academic study series, also published by Garnet Education: EAS Reading, EAS Writing, EAS Extended Writing & Research Skills, EAS Listening, EAS Vocabulary and EAS Pronunciation. Key Features - Topic-led units develop presentation and seminar participation skills - Reading and listening texts help generate ideas - 'Useful language' sections support discussions and presentations - Regular review units and learner diary sections to consolidate work - Audio CDs for further self-study or homework - Useful 21-page appendix An accompanying Teacher's Book is also available. Contents: Introduction Unit 1: Communicating in academic situations Unit 2: Seminars and discussions Unit 3: Examining underlying assumptions Unit 4: Reading into speaking Unit 5: The use of data Unit 6: Consolidation unit Unit 7: Supporting your point of view Unit 8: Collecting and presenting data Unit 9: Thinking rationally Unit 10: The importance of reflection Glossary Reading texts Transcripts Appendices Appendix 1: Signpost expressions for presentations Appendix 2: Table Appendix 3: Sample OHTs Appendix 4: Preparing and planning a presentation Appendix 5: Possible topics for seminar discussions Appendix 6: Career drivers questionnaire Appendix 7: Sample proposal Appendix 8: Useful language Appendix 9: Photocopiable handouts.
