Customer Reviews

Touchy Situations: An Advanced Conversation Text for Esl Students

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm currently teaching in Europe and have found this book to be absolutely a must for teaching students who are not familiar with the American and/or English conversational strategies. It gives excellent examples of appropriate conversational starters such as how to introduce oneself to an person, what to say or do if you forget someone's name, closing a conversation, and language to assist in bringing up a subject. My English Language learners are mostly BUSINESSMEN WHO HAVE FOUND THESE CONVERSATIONAL STRATEGIES MOST HELPFUL in business situations as well as social events. The activities are PRECISE in bringing out the language. For example, a presentation strategy is taught and the necessary language presented followed by an activity wherein the student(s) are required to present an advertising proposal with a limited budget. Thus, the follow up activities provide the students with the opportunity to use the necessary language needed. I highly recommend this book for the teaching of advanced ESL students--especially business/engineering students. I would also recommend it for ESL students who have not had the opportunity to learn appropriate conversational strategies in the English culture.

This book has been a lifesaver in both Turkey and China in my advanced level classes. The activities get the students talking and the speaking structures practiced are essential for all students who want to be able not only to give their opinion, but have debates, negotiate, and persuade. The one difficulty is finding it. It is now published by Delta-Systems and is available from their website.
Sit back and let your students do the talking!