THE PROGRAMME

Level range and structure

SpeakYourMind provides a complete programme from beginner to advanced level. The programme is divided into 18 Units and is linked to the levels of the Common European Framework (CEF).

The structure of the programme enables accurate placement testing and helps you to set clear short-term or long-term objectives.

Each unit is independent - new students can join the course at their real level

Speed

Learning a language, particularly as an adult, can be a long and unpredictable process. We don't promise any magic formula but SpeakYourMind is designed to be fast as well as effective. Although learning times can vary considerably from individual to individual and from region to region, in most cases SpeakYourMind can significantly reduce learning time.

Experience from schools in Europe using SpeakYourMind shows that completing one Unit typically takes 20 - 30 teaching hours (50 minutes). For example, beginners normally reach level A1 of the CEF in around 50 teaching hours and level A2 in the region of 100 teaching hours as opposed to the 200 hours indicated as usually necessary by the Council of Europe.

The Courses

The great thing about SpeakYourMind is that you learn to speak and during your lessons your teacher gets you talking (books closed!). At the same time, reading and writing skills are developed and you will spend a part of each lesson working from the Student Book. The Student Books follow the course step-by-step and contain explanations and examples of the new words and grammar that you learn to use in class. Most schools do not insist on homework but most people who learn see the advantage of revising from their books for five or ten minutes as regularly as they can.



BEGINNER AND ELEMENTARY
UNITS 1,2,3,4

Units 1-2 (+2CD)
SpeakYourMind is an ideal course for beginners and for those who have studied some English but can't speak it. You get used to listening and to speaking right from the first lesson and you progress and improve lesson-to-lesson thanks to the clear structure of the programme. Reading and writing develop with a variety of clear and interesting exercises. Units 1-2 take learners to A1 level with an active vocabulary of around 700 words.

Units 3-4 (+2CD)
This course brings learners up to A2 level with a total of around 1,300 of the most common words in everyday English, as well as all the basic grammar. At this level, learners are able to cope in most ordinary situations in shops, restaurants, hotels and so on. They are able to have simple social conversations and deal with simple tasks at work.



LOWER INTERMEDIATE
UNITS 5,6,7,8

Units 5-8
A new, up-to-date version of Units 5-8 will be published in October 2010. With an active control of a further 1,300 words and all essential grammar, learners who have completed Unit8 have reached an important stage of their studies. This is both an objective for people who need to use English for general purposes in everyday situations, and a solid base for those who want to continue their studies in order to use English for more specific purposes.

INTERMEDIATE
UNITS 9,10,11,12

Units 9-10 (+2CD)
Units 11-12 (+2CD)
Published in 2008, Units 9-10 and Units 11-12 add over 1,300 words to students' active vocabulary and take students to 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.


ADVANCED
UNITS 13-18

Units 13-14
Plus5
The Advanced 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.

Work in Progress!
The 18-unit SpeakYourMind course is currently being re-structured as part of the continuous updating programme. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.