Page 43 - In Focus (demo)

Unit sections

1 Critical cartoons

This is a short speaking activity centered on a cartoon related to the topic of the unit.
The look and feel of the cartoon is that of a political cartoon that might be found in a
newspaper. Questions help activate schema and develop critical thinking skills.

2 Core vocabulary

Each unit teaches 10 important words from the NGSL. The section begins with a short
reading passage (200–250 words) on an aspect of the unit topic that contextualizes
the 10 keywords. A series of learning activities focuses on developing knowledge
of collocations and analyzing and understanding word parts. This gives students
practice using the words introduced in the unit. It also develops vocabulary learning
skills and strategies that will be useful when encountering new words not introduced
in the unit. A speaking activity rounds this section off.

3 Reading skills

Students work with a longer text (400–500 words), which gives a different or
expanded point of view on the topic of the unit. This exposure to multiple points
of view is a key aspect of developing skills in critical thinking. This is followed by
a series of carefully structured activities, including pre-reading, comprehension,
making inferences, and identifying opinions. The section culminates in a short
discussion.

4 Researching a topic

Since information from various points of view is crucial to thinking critically about
an issue, the pair or group activities in this section encourage gathering further
information related to the topic. This is followed by interpretation and presentation of
the information collected.

5 Critical thinking

Through pair, group, and open class work, students are encouraged to develop
critical thinking skills, such as identifying the difference between statements of
fact and opinion, analyzing graphs, and categorizing data. A language model helps
students to write a short paragraph and express their opinions on the topic. The fi nal
page brings the content of the unit together in a discussion or presentation about the
topic. Useful language prompts help students where necessary.

6 Quotable quotes

This final section introduces a quote on the topic of the unit, in most cases by a

famous person. Several thought-provoking questions on the quote conclude the
unit. This section can be done in class as a short discussion activity or as a writing
assignment outside the class.

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