Criterion

Grade: 5/4/3/2/1

Comments (5 being the highest grade and 1 the lowest)

Originality

        4 

The content and structure of the Student’s Book are what one would expect from a beginner-level coursebook, meaning the lessons are easy-to-follow and comfortable for both teachers and learners.

There are however some innovative features to be found in the self-study DVD-ROM which give learners the chance to record and listen to their pronunciation, create their own tests and practise the new language from each lesson. Ideal for a motivated student with a laptop and some free time outside lessons.

Practicality

        5

Teachers will find the aims of the lessons clear and the simplicity of the material easy to deliver successfully. There is a good balance between grammar, vocabulary and skills lessons. Each unit also has a useful ‘real world’ section focussing on functional language that is appropriate for beginners linked to optional video clips.

A Testmaker CD-ROM gives a teacher the flexibility to create bespoke tests to suit the abilities and needs of their students. This is suitable for Beginner classes where the differences in level can be particularly apparent and potentially problematic for teachers.

Presentation

         4

Appropriately for a coursebook aimed at A1 students the visuals are clear and simple so that the context is established with minimum fuss and the vocabulary can be easily recognised and understood.

Up-to-date photos show (usually smiling) well-groomed young adults in recognisable, every-day situations. These are balanced with computer-generated images and cartoons for variety but which don’t make the material feel too childish.

Overall rating

      4

What outstanding strengths/ weaknesses do you feel this title possesses?

Strengths:

It is clear and simple for beginners yet doesn’t patronize and is suitable for adult learners. The flexibility of the material offered means it caters for a range of students’ needs with extra self-study resources for weaker or more motivated learners that teachers can exploit.

Weaknesses:

Because of the systematic way the book is structured - with each unit organized in a similar way - the coursebook could eventually be seen as repetitive (if a teacher didn’t supplement it sensibly).

On which courses do you envisage being able to use this material?

Face2Face Starter would be suitable for learners aged 16+ of all nationalities on General English courses either in groups or having 1-1 lessons.

Complete beginners would struggle with the instructions for activities in the Student Book and would initially require a lot of support from the teacher. They may feel quite overwhelmed when first confronted with the rather dense pages.

Other comments (please feel free to provide any other observations or information which you think is useful to practising teachers who need to assess new materials quickly and effectively)

It’s an appropriate coursebook for both the novice and the experienced teacher.

It would be worth teachers spending some time exploring the Testmaker CD-ROM, DVD and additional resources in order to adapt the material to the ability and needs of the learners. However, the lessons in the Student’s book can be taught with little preparation needed.