English Time: Student Book 1

Mary St. Onge-Davidson is president of the Essential English Centre in
Ottawa.

Setsuko Toyama and Susan Rivers are well known for authoring English
textbooks. Their new, six-level English Time series for children is a
communicative course for elementary-school students from beginner to
intermediate levels. Each level of the series consists of student books,
workbooks, a teacher’s book, a storybook, picture and word card books,
cassettes and CDs, and wall charts.

English Time: Student Book 1 consists of 12 four-page units; four
two-page reviews; vibrant full-color illustrations with a clear, simple
design; a picture dictionary incorporating new vocabulary words; and
four checklists at the end for young students to review what they have
learned. The book aims at developing a student’s speaking, listening,
reading, and writing skills through activities that are very attractive,
humorous, and great fun. The course outline moves along at a natural
pace, giving each student ample opportunity to practise language skills
and to develop confidence and motivation to continue to the next level.
Three recurring characters—Annie, Ted, and Digger the dog—maintain
an ongoing presence while students progress through the series. Units
are theme-based: for example, “In the Neighborhood” or “At
School” provide a context for the language. The units’ short length
not only encourages more rapid progress by students, but also
facilitates adapting the course to any program or classroom schedule.

The English Time series is preceded by the two-level introductory
series Magic Time. The two series can be used separately or as one
complete eight-level course. Highly recommended.