A Conversation Book 1: English in Everyday Life (4th Edition) (Bk. 1) [Paperback]

Tina Kasloff Carver (Author), Sandra Douglas Fotinos-Riggs (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0131500457 | ISBN-13: 978-0131500457 | Publication Date: May 5, 2006 | Edition: 4

A Conversation Book 1: English in Everyday Life, by Tina Kasloff Carver and Sandra D. Fotinos-Riggs, helps beginning level students to develop conversation fluency. The student-centered text and audio teach the vocabulary and life skills necessary for natural communication. Each of the ten units focuses on an essential aspect of daily life such as food, shopping, and work. Activities ranging from role plays to group surveys promise a lively class and help students achieve the language competencies needed to succeed at school and work. With chants by Carolyn Graham. New to this edition: *Easy-to-follow unit structure includes a Preview page, six 2-page lessons, Listening Practice, Review, and Assessment wrap-up.*Picture Dictionary openers introduce and contextualize the vocabulary of each lesson.*Model Conversations and Partner Interviews offer students opportunities to talk about their own lives.*Conversation Chants help students acquire the sounds, rhythms, and intonation of conversational English.*The Scope and Sequence highlights correlations to CASAS and state curricula.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

These best-selling conversation books for beginning/intermediate- level students are especialy designed to draw out the most reticent speakers, prompting them to engage in meaningful two-way conversation and stimulating group discussion. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

A Conversation Book 1: English in Everyday Life, by Tina Kasloff Carver and Sandra D. Fotinos-Riggs, helps beginning level students to develop conversation fluency. The student-centered text and audio teach the vocabulary and life skills necessary for natural communication. Each of the ten units focuses on an essential aspect of daily life such as food, shopping, and work. Activities ranging from role plays to group surveys promise a lively class and help students achieve the language competencies needed to succeed at school and work.

 

With chants by Carolyn Graham.

 

New to this edition:

• Easy-to-follow unit structure includes a Preview page, six 2-page lessons, Listening Practice, Review, and Assessment wrap-up.
• Picture Dictionary openers introduce and contextualize the vocabulary of each lesson.
• Model Conversations and Partner Interviews offer students opportunities to talk about their own lives.
• Conversation Chants help students acquire the sounds, rhythms, and intonation of conversational English.
• The Scope and Sequence highlights correlations to CASAS and state curricula.

Product Details

• Paperback: 183 pages
• Publisher: Pearson ESL; 4 edition (May 5, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131500457
• ISBN-13: 978-0131500457
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #176,466 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars conversation starters, February 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: A Conversation Book 1: English in Everyday Life, Revised Third Edition (Paperback)

I use this book in a beginning level English class for Hispanics. I work all day at a computer-related job and volunteer teach ESL two nights a week. I really do not have enough time to think of new conversation starters all the time. I find that this book used in conjunction with other material is ideal for low level adults. It provides a non threatening, informative introduction into American life. It is a fun way to learn the basics.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hands down, the best entry level ESL text, June 16, 2008

By 

Julia Reineman (LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Conversation Book 1: English in Everyday Life (4th Edition) (Bk. 1) (Paperback)

My M.A. thesis was a comparison of adult, entry-level ESL textbooks; I give _A Conversation Book_ (ACB) a five-star rating.

What is does (that other books do not):

ACB treats learners as intelligent; while it is written for a true beginner, it does not over-simplify the topics that it covers.

ACB provides an above-average amount of pertinent vocabulary for each topic.

Each unit is about 10 pages long, with 6 smaller topics of 2 pages each. Individual topics within the units are independent, each with their own vocabulary list, making it especially helpful if student attendance is sporadic.

ACB draws on the wealth of existing knowledge that students bring with them. Conversation questions often asks students to share about their lives before coming to the U.S., whether it be regarding food, healthcare, or beliefs about gender and housework.

ACB avoids traditional grammar-based instruction.

ACB includes interactive activities: surveys, problem solving, and small group (4) challenges.

The text is colorful, and Andrew Lange does a great job of illustrating ACB, providing a sense of fun in the learning environment.

If you want a pedagogically sound, highly engaging ESL text, you need this book, and the following, ACB II.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Slightly disappointing - better for teachers than students, April 22, 2007

By 

Eric H. Roth "English teacher/conversationali... (Venice Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Conversation (Paperback)

More a series of detailed vocabulary lists arranged by topic than an actual conversation book, this ESL book - approximately half of Conversation Book 2 - helps students find the appropriate word for everyday activities. This seems like a better resource for teachers than a book for students - given the price - and should be supplement by a worksheet of at least 10-15 questions. When I taught at a local community college, this was the assigned textbook and few students wanted to buy it. On the other hand, this book forced me to create many conversation worksheets to supplement the text.