The EDBA English Textbooks

Pioneering the collaboration of Thai and Native Speaker linguists. The new series of EDBA English textbooks for primary and secodary schools reflects the prescriptions of the new Thai National Curriculum.

The teaching is based on the implementation of student centered approach, while the content still caters for the needs of both teachers and students in large classes.

Elements of cultural awareness of other countries have been introduced along with the importance of exposing students to the fundamental differences between American and British English which have often been the cause of much confusion among students preparing for international exams..

"ENGLISH" takes into account the need to build up a knowledge of language which can keep pace with global communications and the greater access to travel for leisure and study. Traditional concepts of lexical and grammatical use which stem colonial rule in Southeast Asia have been replaced with living language of the 21st century.

"ENGLISH" is consistent with the cognitive levels of young learners and teachers will find its use straightforward and intuitive.

The introduction to each volume includes important tips for teachers, and the accompanying teacher's handbooks are far more than just an answer key, they contain a wealth of additional activities and vital aid for teachers who have little or no training in modern methodology.

12 Levels: Prathom 1 - 6 (grades 1 - 6); Matayom 1 - 6 (grades 7 - 12)
Authors: Majuri Sangphairoj and Chris Carter-Smith
Addresses the specific problems of Thai learners of English.
Graded language. Focus on oral skills.
Interactive.
Tape cassette and CDRom
Free teacher's handbook with answer keys, tape transcripts and lots of useful teaching tips.

Overview

Each book of this new series is based on the S for Snake® theme of the pedagogic toys and teaching aids which accompany the series at primary level. Texbook and Workbook features are combined in one volume and are presented in ten lessons arranged in a pattern which will become familiar without being repetitive and boring. The language focus is clearly identifiable - teachers can now plan their lessons more thoroughly and quickly, and implement their skill without needing to devise new activities to support the material provided by the book.

Fast learners or high streamed classes will need additional teacher input - preferably at the warm up and consolidation stagesof their lesson plans - while slower learners and classes will find enough content to fulfill the requirements of the syllabus.

The syllabus is designed around individual, pair and group work activities which are particularly helpful to the teacher who is having to manage large classes.

This series makes a departure from traditional, systematic treatment of grammar. The aim of the new National Curriculum is to teach students to speak and write creatively, instead of just learning grammar rules without developing true communication skills. The use of correct grammar will be acquired in much the same way as native speakers learn their own languages and through grammar based games and activities. Only particularly strange or difficult features of English are given in-depth treatment and teachers are drawn away from the tradition of dedicating important classroom to grammar as a stand-alone subject..

Another deliberate departure is from the traditional rote method. Drill is confined to oral passages which are provided for the purpose of helping students to improve their diction. S for Snake® abandons synthetic language and teaches normal conversation and standard idioms of both British and American English. Throughout the books a familiar friend, S for Snake, will appear with tips for a better understanding of some of the special problem areas of Asian learners:

• Grammar use of the letter "S"
• Pronunciation
• Cultural Focus (Thai/US/UK)

Each lesson provides timed material for a rhythm of up to four hours total teaching per week according to the school’s curriculum. Where necessary, extra activities and revision excercises are provided for problem areas and homework.

Content

Through familiar components, language content in each lesson is organized around common features of everyday life.

Things to say: Useful patterns for students to learn before doing others parts of the lessons.
Word list boxes.: Each lesson begins with words to be pre taught through warm up activities using flash cards or other visual aids.
Vocabulary: The vocabulary section encourages students to collect new words for themselves by reading other texts, watching audio-visual content and by the careful, guided use of dictionaries.
Dialogues: Dialogues in "real language" provide practice for listening, speaking and comprehension in pair work situations.
Activities: Activities promote pair work, group work and classroom activities that help students to learn how to work together and employ their communication skills.
Reading Comprehension: Short reading texts from real situations to enable students to apply the newly acquired language skills. This section will encourage students to develop their comprehension and creative thinking.
Language to Learn: Important grammar principles are presented together with practical exercises.