Short Book Reviews

Hanna Kryszewska, Poland

Hanna Kryszewska is a teacher, teacher trainer, trainer of trainers. She is a senior lecturer at the University of Gdańsk, and EU Teacher Training College where she trains pre-service teachers. She is co-author of resource books: Learner Based Teaching, OUP, Towards Teaching, Heinemann, The Standby Book, CUP, Language Activities for Teenagers, CUP, The Company Words Keep, DELTA Publishing, and a course book series for secondary schools: ForMat, Macmillan. She is also co-author of a video based teacher training course: Observing English Lessons. Hania is a Pilgrims trainer and editor of HLT Magazine. E-mail: hania.kryszewska@pilgrims.co.uk

Bridge to IELTS: Pre-intermediate-Intermediate Band 3.5 to 4.5 Student’s Book. L. Harrison and S. Hutchinson. CENGAGE Learning and National Geographic. (2013. ISBN 978-1-133-31894-1, pp 144. This coursebook is not part of a series, which is quite unusual. It is a one-off publication which is intended as very early preparation for IELTS. The students who are the addressees of the course and who will master the skills and language in the book will at best fetch grade band 4.5, which is not a result which will secure a good place at a university. Clearly the learners will need to carry on learning to prepare for IELTS and to get a more satisfactory result. So how is this publication justified? In some learning contexts students who are very keen to study in English want to start IELTS preparation as early as possible. The course bridges the gap between general English and IELTS mainly by developing the four language skills, by introducing an IELTS kind of lexis, by developing study skills, and most importantly by practicing IELTS like tasks and activities. The coursebook is a foundation course to be followed by Achieve IELTS or IELTS Express ( reviews follow).

IELTS Express Intermediate Coursebook – Second Edition and IELTS Express Upper Intermediate Coursebook – Second Edition. R. Hallows, M. Lisboa and M.Unwin. HEINLE CENGAGE Learning. S. Alcott (2013). ISBN 978-1-133-31306-9, ISBN 978-1-133-31302-1, pp 144 and pp144. This is a second edition of a two level course preparing for IELTS. The intermediate course is aimed at learners Band 4-5.5 whereas the upper-intermediate one is aimed at candidates Band 5 and above. Both the courses prepare for the Academic and General exams. The courses offer a full coverage of all the exam skills, understanding of the exam tasks, writing and speaking banks, however I cannot judge how the second edition differs from the first one. In this edition there seem to be many additional features including recorded speaking models of exam performance and an ‘updates’ Speaking Test DVD. I cannot judge it but I have a feeling that the teacher’s book has a wealth of materials I would love to try out myself

Achieve IELTS 1 – Second Edition and Achieve IELTS 2 – Second Edition. L. Harrison, C. Cushen and S. Hutchinson). HEINLE CENGAGE Learning. (2013). ISBN 978-1-133-31319-9, ISBN 978-1-133-31387-8, pp 165 and pp 175. This is a second edition of an earlier two level course preparing for IELTS. The coursebooks have been thoroughly revised among others with new and updated texts and visual material. The intermediate–upper intermediate course is aimed at learners Band 4.5-6 whereas the upper-intermediate one is aimed at candidates Band 5.5-7+. The books develop the four skills, build up academic lexis and offer relevant grammar practice. The courses offer clear and useful advice how to prepare for the exam and preparation for studying in English as well as preparation for participation in social and academic life.

Direct to IELTS. S. Carter. (2013) Macmillan. ISBN 978-0-230-43993-1, pp 151. This book has been published in the well established Direct to … exam preparation series (other titles in the series include: Direct to FCE, Direct to TOEFLiBT). This course consists of the printed book (with key or without) and a wealth of online materials with four practice tests, grammar reference and downloadable worksheets with further vocabulary and grammar practice complementing each unit. This is a concise and very comprehensive course written by experienced IELTS authors. The contents fall into eight topic based units which reflect the typical areas in the IELTS exam. In each unit there is an element of vocabulary input and practice, preparation for the speaking part of the exam with sample model answers recorded on the CD; there is well structured work on reading and listening with very useful tips, and finally exercises preparing for exam writing with a great summary in the Writing Bank. The book has a very user friendly layout and is visually pleasing.

IELTS Advantage. Reading Skills. J. Taylor and J. Wright. (2012) DELTA. ISBN 978-1-905085-63-7, pp 144. IELTS Advantage. Writing Skills. R. Brown and L. Richards. (2012) DELTA. ISBN 978-1-905085-62-0, pp 128.These books were published in the DELTA IELTS Advantage coursebook series ( There is also IELTS Advantage Listening and Speaking). It is aimed at students who are at the Band 6.5-7.0 or higher level. The publishers approach is to separate the particular skills to help students who need extra practice and have to work more on one particular skill to get a better result in the exam. The activities and tasks focus on general English language skills, and these skills in the IELTS exam context. There is a lot of focus on vocabulary, especially collocations and using the dictionary effectively. The books are suitable for class use but much more so for self-study thanks to a step-by-step approach, many useful tips, advice on useful strategies and good practice. Needless to say there is a key at the end so the students can check their answers themselves.

Skillful Reading & Writing 1. D. Bohlke (2012) Macmillan. ISBN 978-0-230-43192-8, pp 110. Skillful Listening&Speaking. L. Baker and S. Gershon. (2012) Macmillan. ISBN 978-0-230-43191-1, pp 109. These books were published in the Macmillan Skillful series (There are levels 1-4 and a foundation course). It is aimed at students who want to prepare for the IELTS exam. Thanks to the fact that there are so many levels of the course teachers will be able to choose the right book for their students. If the need arises it is possible to use in the same class, say, a reading and writing book level 3 and a listening and speaking book level 2. Each unit gives a clear presentation, instant practice and skills integration. The texts and tasks are interesting, well chosen and suitable for the IELTS context. The books are ideal for short intensive exam preparation courses. Unfortunately I cannot find information stating which level corresponds to what Band in the exam grading scale. Like all recently published Macmillan titles, the Skillful course has an online component.

Please check the Teaching Advanced Students course at Pilgrims website.
Please check the Teaching Academic English course at Pilgrims website.