Assignment C, Part 1 - An Evaluation of Cutting Edge Advanced
Use the checklist from unit 10 ('Evaluating course book material') to write a general evaluation of the book - you won't be able to
comment on all items as you only have one unit and the contents, but say as much as you can.
This must be presented as a coherent essay, not just a list.
Then say whether you personally would like to use the book with an advanced class and why or why not - this is just your opinion, so
there is not a right or a wrong response to this part. You do not need to refer to the class described for part 2 of this assignment.
300 - 500 words
There are many other course books for learning English but Cutting edge advanced is better among
others. As a teacher what I look for “whether it will achieve the learning objective for the advanced
level students” Yes, this book does achieve the objective. With particular reference to Unit 1,
Globalization, the contents are structured properly, logically organized and intended to develop
proficiency for advanced level students. The pair/group activities are designed for a classroom
teaching thus it would be a useful material for a classroom teaching. The article covered all the
aspects of the subject matter. The graphical illustrations are catchy, well presented and sequenced in
progressive order. Author has adopted a task-based approach, which gives students a variety of
exercises to work independently and in pairs to enhance both their receptive and productive skills.
The ethnic references in the articles are of immense importance as it relates to individual interest in
the subject of Globalization, its positive and negative impact is opinionated as Students are given an
opportunity to share their own ideas about Globalization and to compare with the worldview The
tasks gradually get more challenging as it go further from easy to difficult but all the exercises
being linked to each other, it do let students into the in depth analysis. Ideas are expressed precisely.
As Students tend to forget the previously learnt vocabulary items there is a great use of recycling
practice. Interactive Techniques are used to activate students’ background knowledge about the
subject in order to get various insights. Examples are explanatory and understandable. Material
doesn’t seem to be offensive to any culture or belief. Group activity to respond to other students’
questions aimed at adding into learners’ ability to point in arguments using appropriate phrases.
Articles references are focused on diversity that gives learners a sense of their own involvement in
the process. Facts and figures in “did you know” section show the importance of the English
language at the global level. A variety of English language is introduced which gives students an
understanding of various accents and pronunciation used around the world. The writing report
enhances learners’ need to know skill. All the four tasks: reading, writing, listening and speaking
are aimed at students needs, building confidence and concept comprehension.
While the exercises do have questions and answers and blank fill activity to achieve the learning
goals, there is also a need of true and false cognates that sounds similar, have same meaning and
origin in other languages. It would be a great addition for more understanding of the words of
English used in other languages. The audio reference to practice pronunciation is great but not much
emphasized as this is the most important area keeping in mind the multi ethnic and multi dialect
background of the students, more pronunciation practices are needed for accuracy. Also there is no
reference to phonetic alphabets and intonation for the vocabulary items being used. The preparation
time to speak in response to certain questions is 30 seconds, which need to be at least one minute.
In conclusion, overall the materials used in the book are appropriate and suitable, placed in proper
context and examples are meaningful for advanced level students. I would definitely include this
book into my teaching curriculum with certain addition that I mentioned above.
Use the checklist from unit 10 ('Evaluating course book material') to write a general evaluation of the book - you won't be able to
comment on all items as you only have one unit and the contents, but say as much as you can.
This must be presented as a coherent essay, not just a list.
Then say whether you personally would like to use the book with an advanced class and why or why not - this is just your opinion, so
there is not a right or a wrong response to this part. You do not need to refer to the class described for part 2 of this assignment.
300 - 500 words
There are many other course books for learning English but Cutting edge advanced is better among
others. As a teacher what I look for “whether it will achieve the learning objective for the advanced
level students” Yes, this book does achieve the objective. With particular reference to Unit 1,
Globalization, the contents are structured properly, logically organized and intended to develop
proficiency for advanced level students. The pair/group activities are designed for a classroom
teaching thus it would be a useful material for a classroom teaching. The article covered all the
aspects of the subject matter. The graphical illustrations are catchy, well presented and sequenced in
progressive order. Author has adopted a task-based approach, which gives students a variety of
exercises to work independently and in pairs to enhance both their receptive and productive skills.
The ethnic references in the articles are of immense importance as it relates to individual interest in
the subject of Globalization, its positive and negative impact is opinionated as Students are given an
opportunity to share their own ideas about Globalization and to compare with the worldview The
tasks gradually get more challenging as it go further from easy to difficult but all the exercises
being linked to each other, it do let students into the in depth analysis. Ideas are expressed precisely.
As Students tend to forget the previously learnt vocabulary items there is a great use of recycling
practice. Interactive Techniques are used to activate students’ background knowledge about the
subject in order to get various insights. Examples are explanatory and understandable. Material
doesn’t seem to be offensive to any culture or belief. Group activity to respond to other students’
questions aimed at adding into learners’ ability to point in arguments using appropriate phrases.
Articles references are focused on diversity that gives learners a sense of their own involvement in
the process. Facts and figures in “did you know” section show the importance of the English
language at the global level. A variety of English language is introduced which gives students an
understanding of various accents and pronunciation used around the world. The writing report
enhances learners’ need to know skill. All the four tasks: reading, writing, listening and speaking
are aimed at students needs, building confidence and concept comprehension.
While the exercises do have questions and answers and blank fill activity to achieve the learning
goals, there is also a need of true and false cognates that sounds similar, have same meaning and
origin in other languages. It would be a great addition for more understanding of the words of
English used in other languages. The audio reference to practice pronunciation is great but not much
emphasized as this is the most important area keeping in mind the multi ethnic and multi dialect
background of the students, more pronunciation practices are needed for accuracy. Also there is no
reference to phonetic alphabets and intonation for the vocabulary items being used. The preparation
time to speak in response to certain questions is 30 seconds, which need to be at least one minute.
In conclusion, overall the materials used in the book are appropriate and suitable, placed in proper
context and examples are meaningful for advanced level students. I would definitely include this
book into my teaching curriculum with certain addition that I mentioned above.
