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Instant Discussions | |
Thomson Heinle
Author: Richard MacAndrew (with Ron Martinez)
80 pages + notes
£22.00
ISBN 07593 9630-2
This book is the companion volume to Taboos and Issues, but while that book dealt with only sensitive and controversial topics, Instant Discussions tries to strike a balance between topics which can be discussed within any group and topics which are interesting. and stimulating. Richard MacAndrew has been teaching English in classrooms across the world for longer than he probably cares to remember, and he now puts that experience to use in his choice of topics.
Instant Discussions is an A4 sized spiral bound book. It is spiral bound because (as the higher price indicates) it can be photocopied by a teacher to give one copy to each member of the class. The sub-title of the book is 'Straightforward easy-to-use-material for busy teachers' and this is an accurate summary of the contents. Anyone who wants to get a group talking in English for between ten and 45 minutes can do so simply by photocopying one of these lessons and reading the teacher's notes in the back of the book.
There are 40 topics in all, covering subjects such as Teenage Rebellion, Holidays from Hell and Incredible Stories. The topics are up to date, including subjects such as internet dating. There are cartoons in black and white throughout the book, taken mainly from the magazines Punch and Private Eye. In every case, there is reading material on the left hand page. On the right is material organized under topics such as 'Language' and (of course) Discussion. So for example, a group might be asked what are the top ten reasons which men give not be get married. The group can compare their results with an 'official' survey and discuss the validity of each reason. (There is an old proverb 'When you want a pint of milk, you do not buy a cow ...!')
Who is this book for? A teacher who wants the class to talk more would do well to use this book. The 40 lessons mean that one discussion period a week would allow the book to be used for a year. However, because of the nature of the exercises, this book is also good for reading and language practice; but only if found in a school library. The price shows that it is meant for classroom use.
Verdict: Will get students talking
Assessment 7/10