| Book of the Month | ||
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First Certificate Expert (Student's book) | |
Publisher: Longman
Authors: Jan Bell, Roger Gower
244 pages
Price £ 10.50
ISBN 0582469287
It's the exam season, so we decided to have a look at one of the new generation of books that are helping students to prepare for the First Certificate exam. Like many modern textbooks, this one comes in several different flavours. There is a coursebook, a teachers book (with listening exercises) and a student's book, with an answer key for those studying alone, and without an answer key for groups working in class. Here we report on the student's book.
Despite the price, which is quite reasonable, there is nothing cheap about this book. The pages are made from glossy paper and there are colour photos on almost every page - somethimes three or four. On the one hand, these make the books more interesting and colourful, but on the other hand, the pictures waste a lot of space and are not usually necessary for the exercises. You will have to decide for yourself if they add value to the book.
The book shows that it is focused on the FCE exam right away, for on the inside cover are The Top Twenty Questions that students ask about the exam, for example 'Am I allowed a dictionary?' (no) and 'Can I choose who I go with for the speaking exam?' (no, again). At the back there is a summary of each paper in the exam, how much time it takes, and some tips on the best way of doing each paper, as well as a short summary on page six. There is also a short grammar reference - just enough to remind you of the important bits of grammar you will need to know. The rest of the book is divided into 12 modules, each with two units. The modules have a colour code on the top left, so it is easy to find your place. The modules all have a single idea - the arts, fashion, health and so on. The first unit of each module concentrates on reading and writing, the second on speaking and listening, and each has a useful little note under the title showing which paper of the exam it is giving practice for. At the end of each unit there is an exam practice which is designed to feel close to the real exam. You can see an example at http://www.longman.com/exams/pdf/fcexpert_sb.pdf.
Who is this book for? That is the problem. This book tries to be a practice book for the exam, but also a more general book for English language study. It tries to teach exam skills, and give advice about the exam, and also have lots of exam practice - and at the same time teach some general English language. There is a bit of something for everybody, but if you want just exam practice, first look at Cambridge University Press First Certificate Practice. However, if you are a teacher with a class where most, but not all of your students are doing the FCE, then this book might be just right for you.
Verdict: Tries to do too much.
Assessment 7/10