9 English textbooks for all occasions: how to choose the most suitable one
There are different ways to learn English, but serious language studies usually begin with purchasing a good textbook. At first, basic grammar is enough, but over time the queries become deeper. For example, you need to understand not only spelling, but also pronunciation, or learn vocabulary on a specific topic. And here you can’t do without a good textbook, draws conclusions Tinkoff Journal.
“I know English at the C2 level, received six Cambridge English certificates, wrote two textbooks and teach the language at the Higher School of Economics,” writes blogger Marina Pletneva.
To achieve this result, it took her 11 years, regular classes and, of course, good literature. Therefore, the teacher shares her own experience, which teaching aids, in her opinion, are best suited for the specific goals that you set for yourself while learning English.
Business Partner Series
Who would be a good fit? students of all levels
What problem does it solve: teaches language and business
Each textbook in this series contains eight sections of five lessons. Classes work on all types of speech activities: reading, listening, speaking and writing.
Practical assignments focus on useful skills in the business field: negotiations, project management, conflict resolution, managing relationships within a team, creating presentations, preparing reports and press releases.
This series will be useful for those who collaborate with foreign partners, want to work abroad or advance their career.
On the subject: How to quickly improve your English: advice from professionals about what is really important in a language and what you can forget about
Ship or Sheep? An intermediate pronunciation course
Who would be a good fit? intermediate level students
What problem does it solve: puts the correct pronunciation
This edition has 50 chapters, divided into “Vowels” and “Consonants”, and several sections for review. In each, they study the pronunciation of a sound in pairs with a similar one: ship [i] - sheep [i:] or pen [e] - man [æ].
At the end there are exercises from simple (at the word level) to complex ones - sentences and dialogues. The author pays attention to the correct stress in words and intonation in sentences. Audio recordings are included with the textbook.
By working with this tutorial, you can focus only on those sounds with which you are having difficulty. I recommend Tree or Three for beginners? the same author.
Conversation Gambits: Real English Conversation Practices
Who would be a good fit? intermediate level students
What problem does it solve: develops communication skills and helps overcome the language barrier
The textbook offers three types of colloquial phrases:
- Opening Gambits help start a conversation and bring new ideas into the conversation.
- Linking Gambits - continue the conversation.
- Responding Gambits - give a response to what the interlocutor said.
It contains many tasks to reinforce the material covered. At the very end there is a list of additional topics that will help you continue to practice phrases and repeat them.
It is advisable to use the textbook in pairs or group work: this way you will learn to apply standard structures in real situations. The textbook will also be useful for self-taught students - in it you can find expressions that diversify not only oral, but also written speech.
Word formation in English
Who would be a good fit? for a wide audience learning English
What problem does it solve: helps prepare for school tests and English language olympiads
The author of the textbook, Alexandra Nagornaya, describes word formation for nouns, adjectives, adverbs and verbs in English. She compiled a table with words that form word-forming clusters with a common root. For example, clarity - clear - clearly - clarify or introduction - introductory - introduce.
Knowledge of the mechanisms of word formation will allow you to understand the meanings of unfamiliar words without a dictionary and easily form new lexical units.
English Vocabulary in Use. Advanced
Who would be a good fit? advanced level students
What problem does it solve: expands vocabulary
This publication contains more than 100 chapters on topics ranging from leisure and travel to the environment and technology. There are special sections dedicated to functional vocabulary, set expressions and language variations. For example, in Britain and Australia they speak English, but with their own characteristics.
The pages of the manual are divided into two parts. On the left are new words and phrases, explanations, pictures and context. On the right are practice exercises, such as connecting parts of phrases, choosing the appropriate word to fill in gaps in sentences, correcting mistakes, answering questions.
Self-test keys make this guide ideal for self-study. It can be used as a supplement to the main textbook or to prepare for international exams.
Destination C1&C2
Who would be a good fit? advanced students
What problem does it solve: helps prepare for Cambridge CAE, CPE, TOEFL, IELTS exams
26 lexical and grammatical blocks cover different topics: you can learn the intricacies of using modal verbs, become more proficient in discussing social problems, and so on.
Destination is suitable for practice-oriented students: the textbook contains many exercises for practicing, consolidating and repeating material, reference blocks with phrasal verbs like to mull over, idioms like to know what's what and phrases like to strike a balance. There are also keys for self-testing.
Articles: explanation, use, training
Who would be a good fit? advanced level students
What problem does it solve: helps to understand the use of articles
The Russian-language study guide contains rules for using articles with different types of nouns, as well as tasks for practicing them. Particular attention was paid to the use of articles with groups of nouns that cause difficulties for English learners: components of the day, seasons, substances and abstract concepts.
The exercises in it are divided into three groups: for initial development of the material, for the development of communication skills, and control exercises for consolidation.
With this textbook, you can not only practice the use of articles, but also expand your vocabulary - the exercises have good lexical content.
101 Grammar Questions
Who would be a good fit? teachers and advanced students
What problem does it solve: explains grammatical subtleties
The short chapters of this edition explain the features of English grammar. For example, how do the British and American versions of the language differ, is the phrase “I am loving it” constructed correctly, why is the noun money uncountable, what do modal verbs do, what is inversion and when is it needed. Each chapter has a list of literature on the topic and explanations of complex terms.
The Handbook makes an excellent book to read on its own, as it contains interesting or controversial topics presented in an accessible, understandable, yet entertaining way.
You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants, and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple — read it all on ForumDaily New Y
Little People, Big Dreams. David Bowie
Who would be a good fit? for children and beginners in English
What problem does it solve: inspires, teaches to set ambitious goals, develops imagination
In total, this series contains more than 100 books about outstanding people: artists, designers, scientists, public figures. This publication tells about the life of rock musician David Bowie.
Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara's book with colorful illustrations is suitable for children of preschool and primary school age, but adults will also find it interesting - although it is not a textbook. For example, you can read it aloud with your family: change roles, imitate the voices and intonations of the characters, discuss the content, create your own stories based on what you read.
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