Self-taught English · Popular Edition (Volume 4) ( one MP3 disc)

Author: Zhang Daozhen
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-06-01
Features: This book is accompanied by annotations, translations, pronunciation explanations, grammar notes, and answer keys. The content reflects both contemporary science and technology as well as aspects of British and American culture and social life. It covers a wide range of topics with concise material, featuring over 6,000 vocabulary words. After completing this course, learners can read various types of knowledge materials. In 1992, I was invited by the Social Sciences Academic Press and the Education and Science Department of CCTV to write TV English, which was broadcast nationwide for three years (two cycles). Hundreds of English learners have mastered English as a modern tool for daily life with the help of this series, giving themselves wings for advancement in education and employment. Nearly a decade has passed, and the love for this series among English learners has not faded. During these ten years, there have been many new developments in English learning and teaching materials in China, with the pace accelerating and even catching up with global English learning trends. Although I have stepped away from English teaching, I remain concerned about it. Over the years, I have frequently traveled between the United States and Shenzhen, continuing my research on English and accumulating a wealth of new materials and insights. It is for this reason that when the Social Sciences Academic Press decided to develop a new textbook series for self-taught English learners based on the original TV English, I gladly accepted the invitation and wrote this series titled Self-Taught English. This textbook series is designed to be progressive, divided into four levels based on different learning stages and depths.
Level 1: Contains over 1,200 vocabulary words and basic grammar, helping learners build a solid foundation in the language.
Level 2: Also includes over 1,200 vocabulary words and key grammar points, enabling learners to read various simplified reading materials. At this stage, English proficiency is close to that of a high school graduate.
Level 3: Also includes over 1,200 new words and covers most major grammar topics. After completing this level, learners can read easy original texts, equivalent to the first-year level of college public English.
Level 4: Accumulates approximately 5,000 vocabulary words, plus additional words from reading materials, totaling around 6,000 words. This level is close to the second-year level of college public English, allowing learners to read various informative materials. After a period of familiarization, they can tackle specialized materials in their field of study.
This series has the following main features:
1. Short and concise texts: Each lesson consists of about 20 lines with roughly 11–12 new words. The language is kept as conversational as possible. It is recommended to memorize most of the texts. Only by memorizing the texts can learners retain new words and reinforce grammar. Repeated memorization and regular review are essential. The more familiar learners become with the texts, the stronger their foundation will be.
2. Modern-life-oriented content: The material includes common modern vocabulary, making it immediately usable. The words learned can express various aspects of modern life, emphasizing the practicality of the language.
3. Focus on oral practice: In addition to dialogue, sentence pattern, and Q&A exercises, each lesson also includes oral practice exercises in the appendix. These exercises serve not only to review and reinforce learning but also to build a basic foundation in speaking. They can also prepare learners for preliminary oral work when necessary.
4. Accompanied audio materials: These are convenient for self-study and help learners develop correct pronunciation and intonation, laying a solid foundation for comprehensive language skills. The audio should be practiced repeatedly to ensure correct pronunciation and intonation.
5. Detailed supplementary materials: Each lesson includes a translation of the text, annotations, grammar explanations, pronunciation notes, and answer keys to facilitate self-study.
6. Rich appendices: These include additional exercises and reviews, as well as various reading materials (such as children’s songs, short poems, and stories) to develop reading skills and reinforce learning. This book can be described as a combination of depth and breadth.
This textbook series is designed for self-taught English learners but is also highly applicable and targeted for those preparing for professional qualifications, job interviews, and other English learners. It also serves as a valuable reference for college and high school students, teachers, and those involved in English teaching.
As for how long it takes to complete this series, it varies from person to person. If you are a high school graduate with ample time on hand, completing all four books in one year is possible. (After finishing the four books, you can expect high scores on college entrance exams in English, and if you pursue an English major, your oral skills may also pass the exam.) If you lack a foundation in English from high school, you can study these books over a longer period, such as three or four years. The key is to truly master the material. If studied as intended, learners will be well-prepared to apply for jobs related to English.
Additionally, training centers are welcome to use this book as a teaching material, as it is expected to yield excellent results. Teachers of college public English are also encouraged to incorporate some of the material into their lessons, especially in language labs, which may positively contribute to developing students’ language skills.