Synopses & Reviews
Real Talk 1 , by Lida Baker and Judith Tanka, helps intermediate to high-intermediate students break away from the classroom and enter the world of authentic English. Each of the book’s eight thematic chapters has four parts: In Person, On the Phone, On the Air, and In Class. The listening segments expose students to spontaneous face-to-face conversations, phone conversations and pre-recorded messages, radio broadcasts, and academic lectures.
Listen to sample audio from Real Talk 1 (samples are in .mp3 format):
In Person: Chapter 3: Marrying Someone Different (2:13)
On the Phone: Chapter 6: Calling a Pharmacy (2:31)
On the Air: Chapter 8: Radio Interview – Lying (2:47)
In Class: Chapter 4: Lecture – Rap Music (abridged for sample) (2:10)
(Radio interview reproduced with permission of CBC.)
Features
- Experience authentic language features such as hesitation, interruption, and interjection.
- Vocabulary exercises prepare students to discuss specific topics.
- Listening strategies give students tools for personal and academic success.
- Note-taking and outlining practice prepare students for university and college-level listening.
- Speaking activities such as role plays, presentations, and debates reinforce the use of authentic English.
All these features address the new emphasis on listening and speaking skills in current standardized tests.
For high-intermediate to advanced students, see Real Talk 2.
Synopsis
Real talk 1 is an ESOL textbook that uses authentic listening passages in a variety of genuine contexts as the basis for listening and speaking skills development. The book is designed for students at the high intermediate level in both second- and foreign-language environments.
Synopsis
Features
- Experience authentic language features such as hesitation, interruption, and interjection.
- Vocabulary exercises prepare students to discuss specific topics.
- Listening strategies give students tools for personal and academic success.
- Note-taking and outlining practice prepare students for university and college-level listening.
- Speaking activities such as role plays, presentations, and debates reinforce the use of authentic English.
All these features address the new emphasis on listening and speaking skills in current standardized tests.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: What’s in a Name?
Part One: In Person The meaning of your name
Part Two: On the Phone Changing your name legally
Part Three: On the Air Formal and informal ways of addressing people
Part Four: In Class Trends in married women’s last names
Chapter 2: Let’s Get Away!
Part One: In Person Travel pet peeves
Part Two: On the Phone Airline reservations
Part Three: On the Air Travel advisories
Part Four: In Class Fear of flying
Chapter 3: Looking for Love
Part One: In Person Marrying someone different
Part Two: On the Phone Calling a dating service
Part Three: On the Air Staying single by choice
Part Four: In Class Love and the human brain
Chapter 4: Music to My Ears
Part One: In Person Your favorite music
Part Two: On the Phone Buying concert tickets
Part Three: On the Air Downloading music from the Internet
Part Four: In Class Rap music
Chapter 5: Getting the Job Done
Part One: In Person Your worst job
Part Two: On the Phone Job interview
Part Three: On the Air Workplace etiquette
Part Four: In Class Why Americans work so much
Chapter 6: To Your Health!
Part One: In Person Cat allergy
Part Two: On the Phone Calling a pharmacy
Part Three: On the Air Obesity: A global epidemic
Part Four: In Class Two popular diets
Chapter 7: Shop ’Til You Drop
Part One: In Person Making an exchange
Part Two: On the Phone Renting a car
Part Three: On the Air Too many choices
Part Four: In Class Product placement
Chapter 8: Do the Right Thing
Part One: In Person Cheating in college
Part Two: On the Phone Calling “Lost and Found”
Part Three: On the Air Lying
Part Four: In Class Ethical dilemmas
Appendix 1 Master Vocabulary List
Appendix 2 Common Abbreviations and Symbols Used in Note-Taking
Appendix 3 Sample Outlines for In-Class Lectures
Audioscript