THE BOOKS
"Some people want to study English - most
people want to learn to speak it."
While speaking comes first, reading and writing skills are taught as an integrated part of the course; usually for around 10 minutes of a 50-minute lesson - for the rest of the lesson it's books closed and ears, eyes and mouths open!
As well as providing clear and comprehensive explanations and vocabulary and grammar, Student Books contain hundreds of reading samples and dialogues that give learners easy access to language in a wide range of contexts and styles (for examples of student books see below).
The original SpeakYourMind series was published in 1993. All course material is constantly reviewed and updated. 2007 saw the introduction of the new generation of SpeakYourMind course books.
UNITS 1 - 4: BEGINNER - ELEMENTARY
(total 1,500 words)
Units 1-2 and Units 3-4 - Each Student Book contains:
• 2 audio CD's (approx 150 minutes listening)
• British English and American English
• Around 600 clear, practical examples of new words and grammar
• Hundreds of sample dialogues
• Clear, level-based introduction of grammar
• Around 60 exercises
• Regular sections on pronunciation and stress
UNITS 1-2
Published: 2007 - Revised: 2011 - Pages: 255
SpeakYourMind Units 1-2 is an ideal course, both for complete beginners and for people who have studied some English before but when they need to use it they don't know where to start. SpeakYourMind lessons give students a unique combination of speaking -practice and structured learning, right from the first lesson. Speaking and listening are the most important parts of your lessons but reading and writing are integrated into the programme with a variety of simple, regular activities and exercises. With the basic grammar you need for simple situations and around 800 words, Units 1-2 takes learners to A1 level (see map above)
UNITS 3-4
Published: 2007 - Revised: 2010 - Pages: 246
SpeakYourMind Units 3-4 takes learners up to A2 level. With an active vocabulary of nearly 1,500 words and a practical command of the basic grammar, at this level you can use your English in many common situations for travel. You can now have simple social conversations and can do limited tasks at work.
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UNITS 5 -8: FIRST INTERMEDIATE
(total 1,400 words)
Units 5-6 and Units 7-8 - each Student Book contains:
• 2 audio CD's (approx 150 minutes listening)
• British English and American English
• Around 50 clear and practical grammar sections
• Around 600 relevant examples of new words and grammar
• Hundreds of sample dialogues in social and professional contexts
• Around 60 exercises
• Regular sections on pronunciation and stress
UNITS 5-6
Published: 2010 - Pages: 381
SpeakYourMind Units 5-6 gives learners the extra language and the extra confidence they need to move ahead from 'elementary'. New grammar is introduced regularly and gradually to become a real 'help' when you speak (not just an extra problem!). New words cover a range of everyday topics, making every lesson interesting.
UNITS 7-8
Published: 2011 - Pages: 391
Students who complete Units 7-8 have reached an important stage in their studies (the equivalent of B1). This level is both an objective for people who need to use English for general purposes in everyday situations. This level is also a solid base for those who want to continue their English studies for more specific uses.
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UNITS 9-12: INTERMEDIATE
Units 9-10 and Units 11-12 - each Student Book contains:
• 2 audio CD's (approx 150 minutes listening)
• Around 700 new words
• 40 reading passages
• British English and American English
• Focus on formal and informal styles
• Regular sections on pronunciation and stress
• Regular grammar development sections
UNITS 9-10
Published: 2007 - Revised: 2010 - Pages: 337
Units 9-10 is the fifth part in the complete SyM programme. SpeakYourMind is a real alternative to traditional intermediate courses, providing plenty of focussed practice in lessons and ensuring that lesson after lesson you keep moving in the right direction - forwards. Units 9-10 builds up and broadens vocabulary systematically, presenting new language in a range of relevant and practical contexts to ensure that lessons are always interesting.
UNITS 11-12
Published: 2008 - Pages: 319
Students who have completed Units 11-12 have an active vocabulary of around 4,000 words and have reached the equivalent of CEF level B2. Clear and relevant presentation of new words and grammar, together with the rich blend of styles and topics make this an effective and enjoyable course for learners who already have a good control of the basic structures of English and who need to use English in a wider range of social and professional contexts or who are preparing for FCE.
UNITS 13-14
Published: 2009 - Pages: 354
The high intermediate programme develops vocabulary along two parallel lines - the formal language of business, debate and study, and the 'everyday' language, rich in idiomatic expressions and phrases, that anyone who lives or works in a 'real English' situation really needs. A varied range of reading passages, discussion topics and original exercises, make sure your lessons are interesting as well as productive.
ADVANCED - PLUS 5
Published: 2002 - Pages: 465
SpeakYourMind's ever-popular advanced programme adds a further 1,200 words and phrases. An original variety of lesson activities makes it a high-level course with a difference. An updated version of this book is already on the drawing board.
TESTIMONIALS
"The material is really well written and well organised: it helps you keep learners focussed and involved at all levels, and there is a nice touch of humour which really helps you get the best out of lessons."