1 Christina de la Mare
,Design to supply Head Unit and banner
Contents
Introducing insight 4
Components of the course 6
Student’s Book at a glance 8
Workbook at a glance 11
Classroom Presentation Tool 13
Teaching notes
Unit 1 14
Unit 2 27
Unit 3 39
Unit 4 51
Unit 5 63
Unit 6 74
Unit 7 86
Unit 8 97
Unit 9 109
Unit 10 119
Workbook answer key 130
Teacher’s Resource Disk 157
Communication worksheets 157
insight DVD extra worksheets 159
, Introducing insight Aims of the course
To challenge students to think critically about the
A note from the author world around them
I’m reading a book called The Element by Ken Robinson.
insight has been developed not only to teach students
On a table nearby, a few teenagers are chatting with their
English, but also to increase their awareness of the world
friends after a long day at school. ‘Our task is to educate (our
around them. Amongst other topics, insight addresses social
students’) whole being so they can face the future,’ I read.
issues, culture, literature, history, social media, science and
‘We may not see the future, but they will and our job is to
technology. Students are encouraged to think critically
help them make something of it.’ I look at the kids and think:
about the issues raised, to evaluate their current point of
‘That’s quite a big task!’
view, and to share their opinions with others even once they
It’s a challenge we all face, whether we’re teachers, parents, have left the classroom. Texts and recordings include an
educational writers or youth workers. Our short-term interesting fact or unexpected opinion which students may
objectives may be different: we may help teenagers or want to tell their friends and families about. This will help
young adults pass school-leaving exams, understand maths make the lesson more memorable and help students recall
formulae, or take part in community projects. But ultimately the language and ideas they have learned.
our long-term objectives are the same: to help young
Video documentary clips also cover cultural and historical
people develop a passion for and curiosity about life, to give
themes broadening students’ understanding of the customs,
them confidence in their own ideas, to help them become
traditions and history of English-speaking countries.
open-minded, global citizens.
Literature insight introduces students to classic works of
When I started writing insight I immediately understood
English literature and offers an alternative way of exploring
that the course was trying to satisfy these two objectives:
the culture of English-speaking countries.
a rigorous syllabus would help students develop their
language skills, but it also had its eye on long-term To inspire discussion in the classroom
objectives, too. The information-rich and thought provoking texts and
Today’s students are very sophisticated. They have an recordings will inspire discussion amongst students.
amazing ability to multitask, and they often have a broad Structured activities encourage students to question their
knowledge of other cultures and countries. They also have a existing opinions and the opinions of others. Activities
point of view, and in insight we value that and seek it out – are designed to stimulate critical thinking, to encourage
we also challenge it. We constantly ask students to question, participation and the exchange of opinions.
evaluate and make cross-cultural comparisons: What do you The speaking sections also teach the skills needed to be an
think? Do you agree? What would you do? Speaking helps active participant in discussions, such as interrupting, asking
develop their confidence as language learners, but it also for clarification, disagreeing, and encouraging others to
develops confidence in their own opinions and beliefs. speak.
In insight we’ve added a special ingredient, too: in many
texts and topics there is a fact or point of view students To give a deeper understanding of vocabulary and
may not have come across before, something surprising or build the confidence to use it
thought-provoking, something they may want to tell their insight gives students a deeper understanding of language
friends in a café after school. The aim of this extra ingredient and goes beyond purely teaching meaning. insight explores
is to inspire curiosity, and a passion to discover and learn. It such areas as collocation, word-building and connotation
might help them think about an issue in a different way, and to provide a fuller understanding of how vocabulary is used.
make a lesson more memorable. This comprehensive approach allows students to use new
That’s what insight is all about. It strives to create the right language with greater confidence.
conditions for students to grow, learn and develop their Vocabulary is taught in the context of reading or listening
ideas and experience. To become lifelong learners. ‘You texts. All reading and listening texts are accompanied by
cannot predict the outcome of human development,’ adds vocabulary exercises that focus on the meaning of new
Ken Robinson, wisely. ‘All you can do is like a farmer create vocabulary in context. Additionally, the understanding
the conditions under which it will begin to flourish.’ of new vocabulary is reinforced through exercises which
practise their use in a new context.
Jayne Wildman All vocabulary is taught in sets organized by topic, word type
or theme. Research has shown that teaching vocabulary in
this way makes it easier for students to recall and use.
Vocabulary insight pages not only explore language in more
depth, but also build students’ study skills, including keeping
vocabulary records, ways of recording new vocabulary, using
a dictionary and a thesaurus.
These skills will help students decode, retain and use new
vocabulary correctly in the future.
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