Practicing Spoken English Through Authentic Material

Abstract

This book is for first and second year high school students who want to improve their spoken English skills. According to the ACTFL standards, their proficiency level is mid-Intermediate. They may use this book in an after school class or at a private language institute. Since the Korean College Scholastic Ability Test mainly consists of academic reading and listening comprehension questions, students usually focus on learning and practicing reading and listening skills in Korean English classes. As a result, even though students learn English for almost 10 years in school, they are not able to communicate orally with others in everyday life. There should be a balance between spoken and written language development. Also, having spoken language competence can help learners get good scores on tests. This textbook has two aims. First, high school students will improve their communicative competence in spoken language. More specifically, students will be able to participate in everyday conversation, will be able to use proper idioms, phrases and collocations, which are frequently used in dialogues, and will have a deeper understanding of grammar and vocabulary usage. Secondly, students will understand North American culture. They will be introduced to the customs and conventions in the everyday life of an American middle-class family by watching the popular drama, “The Wonder Years.” Students will construct ideas about the norms and beliefs of North American culture. At the same time, students will have an opportunity to reflect on their lives as well.