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Read more about Communication Beginnings: An Introductory Listening and Speaking Text for English Language Learners

Communication Beginnings: An Introductory Listening and Speaking Text for English Language Learners

(15 reviews)

Della Jean Abrahams, Portland State University

Copyright Year: 2017

ISBN 13: 9781387268634

Publisher: Portland State University Library

Language: English

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CC BY-NC

Reviews

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Reviewed by Margaret Olin, Adjunct Professor in AESL Department, Holyoke Community College on 6/30/20

In her introduction, Della Jean Abrahams states, “It is my hope that this text can create and facilitate a communicative and productive learning environment for students and their instructors.” Her text, which I think is generally well thought... read more

Reviewed by Matthew Burrows, Lecturer, University of Colorado Boulder on 6/11/20

The index is clear and effective. There is no glossary, but one isn't needed. It is very good as a listening text as there are many links in each chapter. The book is described as "introductory" in the title and then as "advanced beginner-low... read more

Reviewed by Linda Fisher Bruce, adjunct professor, Point Park University on 9/9/19

The book is written appropriately for the reader it targets and covers all areas that are most needed. The colorful pictures are most helpful. read more

Reviewed by Skip Barnett, Adjunct Professor of TESOL, Goshen College on 6/19/19

The text does a good job of covering many very useful topics that would engage university/young adult ELLs (travel, food, hobbies, jobs) and it gives many great listening and speaking activities such as pair conversations, oral surveys, and many... read more

Reviewed by Tammy Morris, ELA Civics Coordinator & Instructor, Northshore Technical Community College on 5/20/19

Overall the textbook was well written for its intended audience, the English Language Learner (ELL). I found there were engaging activities for all levels in the NRS panel. The text does index the material well, and offers a vocabulary bank,... read more

Reviewed by Jennie Harrop, Chair, Department of Professional Studies, George Fox University on 3/4/19

Communication Beginnings offers an admirably comprehensive foundation for university-level learners who need a rudimentary review of basic tenets of the English language. Written at a level that is acceptable for beginning to intermediate... read more

Reviewed by Aleta Utaatu, Adjunct Instructor, Chemeketa Community College on 2/13/19

The text includes an index and page numbers, which is very helpful if it is being printed out and distributed to students. The book lacks a glossary. More grammar instruction would add depth to the book. Grammar points are only lightly covered,... read more

Reviewed by Colleen Shields, ESL Instructor, Lane Community College on 1/5/19

There is a good range of topics/themes covered in the book (food, jobs, etc.) and some important skills, such as recognizing reduced speech and intonation for questions vs. statements. There is no index/glossary, although that would be very useful... read more

Reviewed by Nohelia Rojas-Miesse, Senior Lecturer, Miami University on 6/19/18

Effective table of content. However, it is lacking and index and glossary. A glossary could be useful being that this textbook is geared towards non-English speakers. All the instructions are in English and written in a way that could be... read more

Reviewed by Kristin Broshears, ESOL Instructor, Portland Community College on 6/19/18

This question isn’t completely applicable since the text is for ESOL, and a wide variety of topics could be covered. However, I thought it did a good job of covering all of the elements necessary in a communication textbook. It had vocabulary,... read more

Reviewed by Julie Hastings, Instructor, Portland Community College on 6/19/18

The content of Communication Beginnings covers much of what is expected in a beginning intermediate communication course. There are a few places I feel it could be expanded to make it more comprehensive. For instance, in Chapter 2 the third person... read more

Reviewed by Amy White, Assistant Librarian and Lecturer, Pennsylvania State University on 2/1/18

This textbook covers a broad range of easily-accessible speaking and listening topics, which is very appropriate for a beginning listening and speaking class. The vocabulary included in each section is fairly light, only 10 words, but I like that... read more

Reviewed by Natallia Cherashneva, Russian/ESL Instructor, University of Delaware on 2/1/18

The textbook is intended for beginning-intermediate English language learners and is a good introductory resource for speaking activities. It is organized around topics that people encounter in everyday life, such as food, hobby. Each of the 7... read more

Reviewed by Riccarda Saggese, Associate Professor, University of Delaware on 2/1/18

The test covers all areas of the subjects according to the author's presentation. The guidelines are clear. Each chapter presents a vocabulary list (from New General Service List) and all lessons are presented around them. At the end of each... read more

Reviewed by Laura Wilkinson, Instructor, Virginia Commonwealth University on 2/1/18

The text covers a variety of speaking and listening contexts teaching basic communication skills necessary for an English Language Learner in an academic or social setting. read more

Table of Contents

Chapter 1- Learning how to speak and listen in English:

  • Tips and strategies for increasing and retaining learning
  • Advice on learning English in a university setting

Chapter 2- Introductions

  • Describing yourself and other people

Chapter 3- Talking about travel and experiences: Page 25-36

  • Intonation in English

Chapter 4- Discussing food and eating: Page 37-50

  • Understanding Conversational English with reduced speech

Chapter 5- Describing places around town: Page 51-64

  • Addresses and place descriptions

Chapter 6- Communicating about hobbies and routines: Page 65-73

  • Agreeing and Disagreeing in English

Chapter 7- Discussing jobs and university majors: Page 74-85

  • Word and syllable stress in English

Ancillary Material

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About the Book

This textbook is designed for beginning-intermediate English language learners. It is composed of 7 chapters, each of which covers specific speaking and listening learning objectives and includes dialogues, interviews, discussions and conversation activities. Each chapter includes listening and speaking components such as dialogues, interviews, discussions and conversation activities. Each chapter also focuses on 10 target words from the New General Service List of English vocabulary. The textbook includes an audio component that consists of recorded conversations of native and non-native English speakers, as well as links to additional listening resources on the web.

About the Contributors

Author

Della Jean Abrahams is an Instructor in Intensive English Language Program at the Portland State University.

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