In this activity, I will preset NORTHSTAR (Second Edition) a book that I have taught

for two years. This book comes as a set of three levels ; Basic/Low Intermediate,
Intermediate and High Intermediate. The book comes as a set of three books for
each level ; Reading & Writing , Listening & Speaking and the activity book. The
book leads the way in integrated skills series. The second edition of the book is
more innovative. Easy to work on, also the topics used in the book are
contemporary themes to stimulate critical thinking while building language
competence. I am going to tackle the first point which is concerned about the view
of language represented in the material , the language presented in NORTHSTAR
books is easy to comprehend. Published by Longman . The second edition is more
innovative according to the authors with five-level series written for students with
academic as well as individual language aspirations. Each unit explores the skills of
Reading, Writing, Listening & Speaking . The language presented is simple and
straightforward. Students can go through the exercises within the book without
difficulty .

The authors present the material in a very interesting way through using the
Thematically Based Units which is engaging students by organizing language study
thematically. These themes provide stimulating topics for reading, writing, listening
and speaking. The book provides an extensive support to build skills for Academic
Success through creative activities that help students build-up language learning
strategies, such as predicting and identifying main ideas and details. The Second
element is the use of Highly-Interesting Listening and Reading Selections that
presents different point of views to improve students understanding of content
while building language skills. Developing Critical Thinking such as reacting to the
listening exercises and the comparison of both the two reading or listening which
aids the students learning. The use of Extensive Vocabulary Practice by learning the
idioms, different word forms, revision and the definition of the vocabulary matching
to expand the students spoken and written English. The book also presents
Powerful Pronunciation Practice which focuses on stress, rhythm and intonation to
reinforce the vocabulary and content of the unit.
Furthermore the study of grammar presented in each unit with related vocabulary
and cultural information. The structure is deduced from the reading selection to
increase accuracy in speaking or writing about the topic. The book contains an
extensive opportunity for Discussion and Writing with the use of challenging
speaking activities and writing topics which allows students to apply what skills they
have learned from the book.

The book has an Audio program, moreover the teachers Manual with Achievement
tests, not to mention the companion Website that includes resources for students

and teachers such as additional vocabulary activities, Web-based links and research
and video worksheets. The method that I would prefer to use with this book is the
communicative approach since the book encourages students- center more than
teacher-center, also it is full of pair group work activities that students must go
through in order to promote the self learning process. The teacher is a monitor or a
supervisor rather than dictator or the provider of the knowledge. The relationship
between both parties the teacher and his/her students is of a unique one since both
parties are working together as a team to solve the exercises and learn the
information by doing the activities, other than being told about it by the teacher.

The book uses some methods that are used in teaching TESOL similar to dividing
students into groups, predicting through pictures and guessing from the
context.etc. The book covers a lot of skills and has the ability to draw students
interest and curiosity through presenting a lot of activities and the help of the CDROM at the back of the students books to practice many skills as well as endorse
the learning process.

REFERNCES:
1) Boyd, F. & Numrich, C. (eds.) (2003) NORTHSTAR, (Second Edition) Longman.

Student Name: Raghdah Al-Madnay .