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Review (1)
%u2018Exploring Language%u2019 is described as a %u201Ccomprehensive resource%u201D for AS and A-level English students following AQA B specifications. It is divided into 4 key sections: 2 of which focus on text, 2 of which focus on language.
One of the most appealing aspects of the book is that it addresses the reader directly right from the start and takes an inclusive tone without being patronising:
%u201CIt isn%u2019t enough to write good sense about a text in ordinary language. If you want to impress your examiners, you must use the appropriate specialist terms.%u201D
The %u2018Introduction to the Study of Language%u2019 dives straight into a short but clear analysis of language as it pertains to the syllabus. The author never forgets that there is an exam to pass and makes useful and consistent references linking suggested activities to exam criteria.
The chapters are set out in a way that makes skimming and detailed reading easy: use of coloured headings, bulleted and numbered lists, boxed information and colour-differentiated activities break down the topic into manageable chunks for teacher and student. There is varied use of sub-headings, double spacing, and bold and italic text, all of which help to flag up key points on the page. It is great to see a sense of presentation at post-16 level which hits just the right note %u2013 it is %u2018grown up%u2019 without being dry or inaccessible. It is also good for students with specific learning difficulties who may find dense texts hard to work with.
Definitions are kept short, there are plenty of questions for the reader to consider and there are activities which support all the information and give lots of chance to practice skills and demonstrate understanding. The sources used are from a good mixture of classic authors, dramatists (theatre and television) and newspaper journalists. This provides an interesting and broad range of texts to analyse.
I liked this book a lot and I think that students will too.
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16:44
20 March, 2008