Sanabria K., Ferre T. NorthStar 4 Listening and Speaking

2nd ed. — Pearson, 2003. — 288 p.NorthStar is a five-level integrated skills series for language learning. The series is divided into two strands: listening/speaking and reading/writing. There are five books in each strand, taking students from the high beginning to advanced levels.The two strands at each level explore different aspects of the same contemporary themes. Each book practices language learning skills through high-interest thematic content.The Student Books are supported by a wide range of components:A Writing Activity Book for each level of the reading and writing strand expands and reinforces the process writing.
The Audio Program includes all the reading and listening segments as well as pronunciation exercises on CD or cassette.
The Video Program includes 3-5 minute segments for each unit. The segments are thematically linked to the units to add to listening comprehension and offer additional material for discussion or writing.
Integrated skills are at the heart of the NorthStar series. When skills are integrated, language is apt to be more authentic, natural and motivating. Integrating skills offers more opportunity for recycling and reinforcing key vocabulary, grammatical structures, and ideas. Students have more ways and more chances to assimilate information and language, thereby facilitating retention of information.New Second Edition Features40% new topics: new topics range from bartering, skateboarding, and cell phone etiquette to food trends and crime reduction.Expanded Teacher's Manuals: Teacher's Manuals with Achievement Tests (one for each book in the series) include:step-by-step teaching suggestions;
time guidelines;
expansion activities;
answer keys;
reproducible unit tests.
The Reading/Writing Teacher's Manuals include a test-generating CD-ROM that allows teachers to customize their own tests.
The Listening/Speaking Teacher's Manual has an audio CD of all the listening and speaking material for the tests.
NorthStar Video Series: Ten short segment per level (Basic/Low Intermediate through Advanced) showcase various genres, including documentaries, interviews, and cartoons, all correlated to the unit theme.