A group of English language teachers from different regions of Russia were selected on a competition base, trained on Textbook Writer Development course in Britain and now they are writing a series of English language textbooks for comprehensive schools.
Millie and New Millennium English is the unique product of co-operation between Russian and British specialists in the field of teaching English as a foreign language. The advantages of our textbooks are that:
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A progressive approach combined with Russian school traditions is used. |
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Our consultants are leading British TEFL specialists. |
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Evaluation and assessment component has been developed with the participation of the authors of the unified state English language exam. |
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Every textbook is reviewed by the federal experts and is approved by the Ministry of Education getting a logo ‘Admitted’ or ‘Recommended'. |
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The textbooks for grades 10 and 11 won a NTF competition on development of a new generation textbooks and participated in the all-Russia experiment run within the programme of modernisation of education. |
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They meet high international standards and at the same time are available at a moderate price. |
Only authentic materials are used in our textbooks.
The materials are students’ age- and interests- appropriate, and are developed for mixed-ability classroom. The textbooks embody a learning by doing approach especially those for primary students, and are based on action, movement and handicraft.
Much attention is paid to teaching real life communication skills in modern English. The four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) are integrated. ’Reading and listening for pleasure‘ principle is used in the line with traditional approaches to reading and listening. Translation is treated as a fifth language skill.
The materials are aimed at raising students’ cross-cultural awareness and provide information on young children’s and teenagers’ life in other countries. Grammar and vocabulary are learnt through context. The Russian language is used actively as a supplementary teaching tool.
The Millie and New Millennium English sets of materials for each grade include a Student’s book, a Workbook, a Teacher’s book and an audiocassette. Millie coursebooks also contain teaching handouts (word cards and pictures).
The textbooks are extremely student-friendly since their design and content have been developed with age characteristics and children’s interests in mind.
Teacher’s books contain detailed lesson by lesson plans, and at the same time leave space for teacher’s creativity. They may satisfy both experienced and beginning teachers. Teacher’s books provide detailed explanation of modern teaching approaches which will help teachers improve their professional skills.
Books 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 are ‘Admitted’, and books 10 and 11 are ‘Recommended’ by the Ministry of Education and Science for use in comprehensive schools. Millie for grade 4 and New Millennium English for grades 8 and 9 are in the process of getting the ministerial approval.
Textbooks for grades 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 are available in bookshops throughout Russia and can also be ordered directly from the Titul publishing house.
Book for grade 4 is going to be published in 2007; a new book 5 bridging the primary and secondary series is due to be published in 2008.
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