Learn English with American English File 2 Student Book: A Comprehensive and Engaging Coursebook for Intermediate Learners
American English File 2 Student Book: A Review
If you are looking for a comprehensive and engaging coursebook to learn English, you may have heard of American English File 2 Student Book. This is the second level of a six-level series that aims to get students talking with confidence. But is it the right book for you? In this article, we will review the features, benefits and drawbacks of American English File 2 Student Book, and help you decide if it is worth your time and money.
American English File 2 Student Book
What is American English File 2 Student Book?
American English File 2 Student Book is a coursebook for intermediate learners of English. It is part of the American English File series, which is developed by world-renowned authors Christina Latham-Koenig, Clive Oxenden, Paul Seligson and Mike Boyle. The series follows a unique methodology that combines language, motivation and opportunity to help students achieve their goals.
The authors and their methodology
The authors of American English File are experts in teaching English as a foreign language. They have extensive experience in creating materials that are both effective and enjoyable for learners. Their methodology is based on three principles:
Language: The book provides students with grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation practice in every lesson. The grammar is presented in clear charts and explanations, followed by exercises that check understanding and accuracy. The vocabulary is introduced through topics that are relevant and interesting for students, such as travel, music, sports and culture. The pronunciation is taught through a variety of activities that focus on sounds, stress and intonation.
Motivation: The book engages students with fresh and stimulating content that sparks their curiosity and imagination. The book features authentic texts from sources such as newspapers, magazines, websites and podcasts. The book also includes documentaries and short movies that expose students to different accents and situations. The book encourages students to express their opinions, share their experiences and discuss their ideas with their classmates.
Opportunity: The book equips students with a solid foundation for successful speaking. The book offers students plenty of opportunities to practice speaking in pairs, groups or individually. The book provides students with useful language for everyday communication, such as greetings, requests, complaints and apologies. The book also helps students develop their fluency, accuracy and confidence through tasks that simulate real-life scenarios.
The contents and structure of the book
American English File 2 Student Book consists of 12 units that cover different topics and skills. Each unit has four lessons: A, B, C and D. Each lesson has four pages:
Page 1: This page introduces the topic and the main grammar point of the lesson. It also includes a warm-up activity and a listening or reading text.
Page 2: This page focuses on the vocabulary and pronunciation of the lesson. It also includes a speaking activity and a writing task.
Page 3: This page revises and extends the grammar point of the lesson. It also includes a grammar bank with more explanations and exercises, and a communication activity.
Page 4: This page reviews and consolidates the language of the lesson. It also includes a progress check with self-assessment and feedback, and a practical English section with functional language and video.
In addition to the 12 units, the book also has:
A starter section: This section helps students review the language from the previous level. It covers basic grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation points that students need to know before starting the book.
A review and check section: This section follows every two units. It helps students revise and test their knowledge of the language from the previous units. It includes a grammar quiz, a vocabulary test, a pronunciation check and a video activity.
A reference section: This section contains useful information for students, such as irregular verbs, word lists, phonetic symbols and maps.
The online practice and resources
American English File 2 Student Book comes with access to online practice and resources that enhance the learning experience. These include:
Online Practice: This is an interactive platform that allows students to practice their language skills anytime, anywhere. It includes extra activities for grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, listening, reading, writing and speaking. It also provides students with instant feedback, progress reports and tips for improvement.
e-Books: These are digital versions of the Student Book and Workbook that can be accessed on iPad and Android tablets via the Oxford Learner's Bookshelf app. They have interactive features designed specifically for language learners, such as audio, video, pop-up notes, highlighter and pen tools.
Class Audio CDs: These are CDs that contain all the audio recordings from the Student Book. They can be used in class or at home for listening practice.
Class DVD: This is a DVD that contains all the videos from the Student Book. It includes documentaries, short movies and practical English episodes. It can be used in class or at home for watching practice.
Classroom Presentation Tool: This is a software that allows teachers to display the Student Book pages on a screen or interactive whiteboard. It has features that help teachers manage their classes, such as zooming, highlighting, annotating and playing audio and video.
Teacher's Book with Testing Program CD-ROM: This is a book that provides teachers with guidance and support for using the Student Book. It includes teaching notes, answer keys, transcripts, photocopiable activities and tests. The CD-ROM contains editable tests in Word and PDF formats.
What are the benefits of using American English File 2 Student Book?
American English File 2 Student Book has many benefits for learners of English. Some of them are:
It helps students improve their grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation
The book provides students with clear and comprehensive explanations of grammar rules, followed by exercises that check understanding and accuracy. The book introduces students to new words and phrases through topics that are relevant and interesting for them. The book teaches students how to pronounce words correctly and naturally through activities that focus on sounds, stress and intonation.
It provides students with a solid foundation for successful speaking
The book offers students plenty of opportunities to practice speaking in pairs, groups or individually. The book provides students with useful language for everyday communication, such as greetings, requests, complaints and apologies. The book also helps students develop their fluency, accuracy and confidence through tasks that simulate real-life scenarios.
It motivates students with fresh topics and engaging videos
The book engages students with fresh and stimulating content that sparks their curiosity and imagination. The book features authentic texts from sources such as newspapers, magazines, websites and podcasts. The book also includes documentaries and short movies that expose students to different accents and situations. The book encourages students to express their opinions, share their experiences and discuss their ideas with their classmates.
It offers students flexibility and choice with digital materials
```html They also provide students with instant feedback, progress reports and tips for improvement. They also allow students to access the Student Book and Workbook on their tablets, with interactive features designed specifically for language learners. They also give students access to all the audio and video recordings from the Student Book, for listening and watching practice.
What are the drawbacks of using American English File 2 Student Book?
Despite its many benefits, American English File 2 Student Book also has some drawbacks for learners of English. Some of them are:
It may not suit all learning styles and preferences
The book follows a fixed and linear structure that may not appeal to all learners. Some learners may prefer a more flexible and personalized approach that allows them to choose their own topics, activities and pace. Some learners may also find the book too challenging or too easy for their level, and may need more differentiation and adaptation.
It may require a lot of teacher guidance and support
The book relies heavily on the teacher's role in facilitating and managing the lessons. The teacher needs to prepare well and use a variety of techniques and strategies to keep the students engaged and motivated. The teacher also needs to provide clear instructions, explanations and feedback to the students. The teacher also needs to use the online practice and resources effectively and integrate them with the Student Book.
It may not cover some advanced or specific topics
The book covers a wide range of topics that are relevant and interesting for intermediate learners of English. However, it may not cover some topics that are more advanced or specific for some learners. For example, some learners may want to learn more about academic writing, business English, or cultural differences. Some learners may also want to explore more in-depth aspects of grammar, vocabulary or pronunciation.
Conclusion: Is American English File 2 Student Book worth it?
American English File 2 Student Book is a comprehensive and engaging coursebook for intermediate learners of English. It follows a unique methodology that combines language, motivation and opportunity to help students achieve their goals. It provides students with grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation practice in every lesson, and equips them with a solid foundation for successful speaking. It also motivates students with fresh topics and engaging videos, and offers them flexibility and choice with digital materials.
However, American English File 2 Student Book also has some drawbacks that may affect some learners. It may not suit all learning styles and preferences, and may require a lot of teacher guidance and support. It may also not cover some advanced or specific topics that some learners may want to learn.
Therefore, whether American English File 2 Student Book is worth it or not depends on your needs, goals and expectations as a learner of English. If you are looking for a coursebook that provides you with a clear and comprehensive framework for learning English, that helps you improve your grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation skills, that gives you plenty of opportunities to practice speaking in real-life situations, that engages you with interesting and authentic content, and that gives you access to online practice and resources that enhance your learning experience, then American English File 2 Student Book may be a good choice for you.
However, if you are looking for a coursebook that allows you to choose your own topics, activities and pace, that adapts to your level and needs, that provides you with more differentiation and personalization, that covers more advanced or specific topics that interest you, or that does not rely too much on the teacher's role, then American English File 2 Student Book may not be the best option for you.
In conclusion, American English File 2 Student Book is a coursebook that has many benefits but also some drawbacks for learners of English. You should consider both the pros and cons before deciding if it is worth your time and money.
FAQs
Q: How much does American English File 2 Student Book cost?
A: The price of American English File 2 Student Book varies depending on the country and the retailer. You can check the official website of Oxford University Press for more information.
Q: How can I access the online practice and resources of American English File 2 Student Book?
A: You can access the online practice and resources of American English File 2 Student Book by registering on the Oxford Learner's Platform with your book code. You can find the book code on the inside cover of your Student Book.
Q: What are the other levels of American English File series?
A: The other levels of American English File series are: Starter, Level 1, Level 3, Level 4 and Level 5. They cover different language levels from beginner to advanced.
Q: What are the other components of American English File 2 Student Book?
A: The other components of American English File 2 Student Book are: Workbook, Multi Pack A, Multi Pack B, Teacher's Book with Testing Program CD-ROM, Class Audio CDs, Class DVD and Classroom Presentation Tool.
Q: Where can I find more information about American English File 2 Student Book?
A: You can find more information about American English File 2 Student Book on the official website of Oxford University Press. You can also visit the Student's Site at www.oup.com/elt/americanenglishfile for more activities and resources.
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