Assures students of what they’ll be able to do at the end of this lesson.

Transferable conversation models make social language memorable. Photos support meaning and provide a stimulus for additional oral work.

Grammar is presented with clear explanations and examples, integrating form, meaning, and use. Use of color ensures that students focus on the target grammar.

For those who want more, a Grammar Booster in the back of the Student’s Book gives additional explanations, examples, grammar points, timely reviews, as well as more practice.

A thorough pronunciation syllabus promotes accurate and comprehensible pronunciation.

Vocabulary presented at phrase level when appropriate, with clear defining illustrations.

Students personalize the Conversation Model, using the new vocabulary and grammar, to confirm their progress on a daily basis.

Realistic prompts provide support and ensure success.

Keeps students aware of the practical value of this lesson.

Motivates students because of its obvious practical usefulness in communication.

Provides targeted practice of rhythm and intonation to ensure comprehensibility of student speech.

Clear defining illustrations provide a permanent reference for student study.

Frequent listening comprehension activities teach critical listening skills and reinforce vocabulary.

Increases memorability and mastery of new language.

These guides ensure that students practice manipulating the Conversation Model, rather than merely repeating it.

Students gather their thoughts to prepare to personalize the Conversation Model, ensuring successful practice.

Frequent dictionary-style definitions ensure understanding of vocabulary that can’t be taught through illustrations.

Continual opportunities for personalized pair work ensure a student-centered experience.

Listening tasks go beyond auditory discrimination to include critical listening skills, such as inference.

Students listen more than once, each time with a focused task, maximizing input and the growth of the listening skill.

Offering students an opportunity to remember and use language taught in this AND previous lessons, Top Notch Interactions provide the structure for a successful discussion syllabus.

Real reviews from authentic sources build students’ confidence in coping with the world outside the classroom.

Top Notch has a fully developed discussion syllabus. Students progress beyond functional language and express their views successfully on a variety of popular discussion topics.

Warm-up questions build expectation and get students talking.

Readings on both expected and unexpected topics ensure thought-provoking classes.

These go beyond strict factual recall to inference and critical thinking.

Concrete steps—such as “notepadding” activities, charts, surveys, and critical thinking activities—prepare students for successful and productive free communication.

Student examples take the guesswork out of what’s expected.

Fully integrated and prepared topics boost students’ written productivity.

Integrated-skills checkpoints permit students to consolidate, review, and confirm what they’ve learned.

Three exciting features add value to Top Notch by extending language practice and use.

A full-page illustration deliberately elicits and reviews all language from this unit, demonstrating to all students their mastery of new language.

Students confirm mastery of the unit’s communication goals.