Coursebook review: New cutting edge intermediate

The following coursebook review is based on the 2005 release of the TESOL "New Cutting edge" series student workbook - a textbook aimed towards the Intermediate level. In regards to overall appearance, the material reaches the goal of attracting future teachers or current TESOL students not only because of its bright colour scheme or inclusion of relevant images but also due to the incorporation of suitable font describing the level of difficulty. Appropriate age level is centered around the young adults stage i.e. 18-25 year of age and the course work can be based or suited to an existing syllabus in the sense that lessons are carefully set around a corresponding module. Overall, there are twelve modules and teachers can easily gain a general concept by noticing the total units of work as well as the incorporation of the general macro skills. In addition, there is a reasonable communicative emphasis to the book as students activate corresponding schemata via the use audio excerpts - which are played prior to commencing an activity. This New Cutting edge also allows for pair and group work as learners interact when practicing new vocabulary and take part in interviewing techniques. The latter activity is an example of the authenticity of the book and learners are exposed to practising new skills by part-taking in exercises such as booking a flight; resume writing, and even making a telephone call. The “Practice” sections located at the end of each module sets out homework tasks which students can take advantage of in order to gain grasps of the newly-acquired vocabulary and grammar aspects such as Auxiliary verbs. In relation to the above items, small emphasis is placed on vocabulary and grammar and further practice is employed via sentence matching; crosswords and even discovering new words through the use of dictionaries. Teacher and students versions of these books feature answers to chapter exercises in the back section and as a “bonus”, a mini-dictionary is also an added feature of this 2005 release.