Coursebook

evaluation
Paulina Filar

Coursebook: Next Move 1

Learners level: Pre-Intermediate (A2)
Learners age: 13 (1st year lower secondary school students)
Type of syllabus: mixed syllabus
Number of students: 15
Learning load: 3 lessons/week
Duration of a lesson: 45 min.

Assessment:
Price
Next Move 1 consists of two basic
components for students:
o Students Book (plus Exam Trainer)
which costs 51 z
o Workbook with audio CD which costs
48 z

All in all, the set for students costs 99 z, for some parents it
may be large expense.

However, in comparison with other English coursebooks,

such as for example English Plus (102 z) or Upbeat (98z),
the price of Next Move 1 is reasonable.

Availability:
Next Move 1 is available in bookshops.

It is also possible to buy the coursebook online on

the publishers website:
http://www.pearson.pl/angielski/katalog-sklep/gimnazjum/next-move.html

Layout:
The layout is clear and well designed.

The coursebook consists of 9 main units :

1. My world
2. Around the town
3. School days
4. Animal magic
5. Out and about
6. Delicious

7. Modern history
8. Journeys
9. Technology time

Each unit follows a standard format. It is very convenient for

students, because after covering a couple of units they get used
to the coursebook sections and know what to expect.
Moreover, interesting illustrations may have positive influence on
students motivation.

Clear layout of the teachers book is also a big advantage of Next

Move 1. On the left side there are students pages and on the
right side there are the pages with guides and instructions for
teachers. It is very useful for lesson planning.

Exemplary page of
the Next Move 1

Instructions:

Intructions are in English, however they are clear

and easy to follow. Students at A2 level of
proficiency should not have any problems with
understanding them.

Methodology:
The auhtors focused on developing different linguistic skills,
learners are exposed to enough amount of the linguistic input.

The exercises are suitable for the learners level of proficiency.

What is more, the tasks are rather student centred, it definitely

leads to students autonomy.

Grammar is presented in the context, however, there are also

some rules and explanations for students who prefer learning

grammar deductively.

Skill activities:
The coursebook contains various exercises, developing

listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.

What is more, there are also Exam trainers - tasks

designed in order to prepare students for the exam at
the end of the lower secondary school.

There is also vocabulary bank with the lexical items

that appeared in each unit.

Topics:
The topics are interesting, adjusted to students linguistic
level as well as their intellectual abilities.

There are some topics that integrate language learning with

knowledge from other fields.
The topics are designed to develop learners general
knowledge about surrounding world.

What is more, there are also interesting projects for students.

An example of the topic

which combines developing
linguistic skills with
knowledge from the field
of geography and social studies

Cultural acceptability:
The coursebook provides students with information about
other countries and cultures.

However, in Next Move 1 teaching cultural issues and

tolerance does not mean excluding native customs and
traditions.

Students are able to learn more about others cultures as well

as their own native traditions.

Evaluation:
In my opinion Next Move 1 is a good coursebook for lower secondary
school students, who continue studying English - at the III.1 level according
to core curriculum.

It not only facilitates learning process through linguistic practice, but also
develops students general knowledge and intercultural competence.

Layout of the coursebook is student friendly. It is clear, each unit follows

specific pattern. It definitely let students feel secure, hence they know what
to expect. There are plenty of interesting photographs and pictures that
make lessons more attractive.

Another advantage of the coursebook is the fact that the students are provided
with the exercises designed specially in order to prepare them properly for the
exam at the end of the lower secondary school.

There are various coursebooks for lower secondary school learners, however
not many of them are proper for students at A2 level of proficiency.
The teachers who use Next Move 1 in the classroom are satisfied with the
quality and the layout of the book. The exercises are well prepared and
adjusted to the learners level.
What is more, the students enjoy the coursebook as well. They especially like

cultural lessons. Although the instructions are in English, they are easy to
follow and do not cause any problems.

All in all, Next Move 1 is a valuable coursebook, that not only prepares the

students for the exam, but also develops their general knowledge and
intercultural competence.