Textbook Evaluation

Initial evaluation – CATALYST test

New-English File Elementary (Student’s book)

C – Communicative?
This textbook is communicative sufficient. It contains 9 units and each of these has 4
„sub-units“- A, B, C, D. There are a lot of interesting topics to discuss and also each
unit, except the first and the second one, has its own communication section, which is
placed not in the unit but at the end of the textbook. Almost all topics are very fit, fun
and motivating for students, so I think that there is no problem with positive feedback
for the teacher.

A - Aims?
New English File Elementary covers Council of Europe Level A1 and leads into A2.
Grammar starts from the basic pronouns, adjectives and verb be across present / past
simple / continues, modal verbs up to saying plans/predictions and present perfect.
There is a wide range of vocabulary concludes required words for successful
communication and pronunciation to get the students speaking English with
confidence.

T – Teachability?
As I said each unit has 4 parts – A, B, C and D. Every part includes reading, listening,
grammar, vocabulary and speaking. The unit has also its own grammar section at the
end of the textbook called Grammar Bank. There are many useful exercises and
quizzes. It’s up to the teacher which exercise is picked out. I think that this division is
very good, because students don’t have explanation or presentation of grammar right
next to the text in each sub-unit. It is important to see and realize new grammatical
features from text which is interesting for them and not from table which concludes
grammatical rules and analysis. The text is divided into 2 columns in each page. I
think that non-division into the columns is better but distribution of the text is very
good and also orientation in the page is easy and clear.
A – AVAILABLE ADD-ONS?
Many pages contains study link - online links to web pages to show you where you find extra
material for more practice, revision and testing.

L – LEVEL?
The exercises are definitely suitable for the students of this level. First unit starts with saying
hello and basic vocabulary and gradually new vocabulary and phrases (I don’t want to say
grammar explanation) are added. Especially, what I like in this book is the fact, that every
new important word is highlighted in each unit for better search, notification and
remembering.

Y – YOUR IMPRESSION?
New English File impresses me a lot. There are many interesting pictures, topics of articles
which are suitable for this age category (and not just for them). Also the division of the pages
is clearly organized. I have just two points that I want to point out – listening and some
inappropriate pictures. Listening in the unit is fine, but I am not sure if it is good to have the
key for listening at the end of the student’s book. Because they don’t have to listen and after
listening they just turn a few pages and complete the listening exercise. And the second point
is cartoon pictures. I am exponent of non-white sheets but some pictures are really misplaced.
I appreciate that the textbook is full of pictures, I like them, but I think that some of them
should be rather photos than cartoon ones. If they are funny, why not, but if there are just
cartoon pictures of sports, animals or some places it is overdone.

S – STUDENT INTEREST?
I believe that students like this textbook. I also have 3 feedbacks and all are positive. Topics
are attractive and motivating for them. There are a lot of pictures, quizzes and extra-materials
if they are interested.

T – TRIED AND TESTED?

At the end of each unit they find section called “What do you remember? What can you do?”
which is good for revision and checking their knowledge.