Longman International English Course (Book 3) - Unit Test - Latest Version

Author: Molinsky, S., Bliss, B. (Eds.)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features: There are two main approaches to writing textbooks for the foundational stage of English learning: one centered on grammatical systems and the other centered on communicative functions. Both approaches have their own strengths and weaknesses. Textbooks written with a grammatical-system-centered approach emphasize the systematic mastery of grammar by students, focusing on their proficiency and accuracy in constructing sentences. However, they often neglect the development of students' communicative skills. The extreme manifestation of this is knowing grammar but being unable to speak fluently. On the other hand, textbooks written with a communicative-function-centered approach prioritize the cultivation of students' ability to use language for communication, but they often overlook the need for accuracy in language (including grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, etc.). The extreme manifestation of this is speaking boldly but making numerous language errors. Communication is the fundamental purpose of learning a foreign language. If after learning for a long time, one only knows grammar rules but cannot communicate with others, it is almost like studying in vain. Conversely, the grammatical rules of a language (broadly speaking, including grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation) are the foundation of the language. No sentence can exist without grammar. Those who only seek to meet immediate communicative needs without seeking solid language proficiency will eventually find themselves unable to express themselves clearly and lacking the ability to perform, only to be mocked by others. Ideal textbooks and corresponding teaching methods should strike a reasonable balance between grammatical ability and communicative ability, as well as their organic integration. In recent years, many textbooks written domestically and internationally have made efforts in this direction and achieved varying degrees of success. This set of "Side by Side" (Longman International English Course), adapted and published by Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press after being introduced from Longman Publishing Group, is considered a relatively successful example. In this four-book series, each lesson has a grammatical focus point, along with communicative contexts where the grammatical item is frequently used. As a result, students can immediately apply the grammar they learn to language communication.