Now in a fourth edition, Contemporary Topics expands on its highly respected approach to developing academic listening and study skills. Organized around realistic college lectures, the text guides learners through carefully sequenced activities in skills such as note-taking, focusing attention, intensive listening, and vocabulary building. It also helps students evaluate their interests and explore possible career paths. New to This Edition New subject areas, presented as one-on-one academic lectures, emphasize professional applications such as software engineering, multimedia design, information technology, urban planning, and social psychology. Learning Outcomes listed at the outset of each unit let students know the goals of each unit and what their learning experience will be. New audio interviews with topic experts provide context for the upcoming unit lecture. Bottom-up listening and pronunciation exercises emphasize important principles and improve real-time perception. An oral presentation activity, supported by specific preparation and delivery strategies, concludes each unit and includes the opportunity for peer evaluation. Proficiency assessments composed of short academic audio lectures and multiple-choice exams simulate TOEFL-style test format for practice on high-stakes tests. New Essential Online Resources include audio, video, and teacher materials (assessments, teaching notes, answer keys, audioscripts, presentation points, and more). Other Highlights Corpus vocabulary drawn from the Academic Word List ensures that students are exposed to core academic vocabulary. Collaborative activities with presentation strategies and peer evaluations allow students to make connections and develop critical thinking skills. Unit comprehension tests assess students' grasp of key concepts presented in the unit lecture. Mapped to the Global Scale of English.

"Contemporary topics 1 gives students practice in the skills they need for academic success."--Back cover of book.

Now in a fourth edition, Contemporary Topics expands on its highly respected approach to developing academic listening and study skills. Organized around realistic college lectures, the text guides learners through carefully sequenced activities in skills such as note-taking, focusing attention, intensive listening, and vocabulary building. It also helps students evaluate their interests and explore possible career paths. New to This Edition New subject areas, presented as one-on-one academic lectures, emphasize professional applications such as software engineering, multimedia design, information technology, urban planning, and social psychology. Learning Outcomes listed at the outset of each unit let students know the goals of each unit and what their learning experience will be. New audio interviews with topic experts provide context for the upcoming unit lecture. Bottom-up listening and pronunciation exercises emphasize important principles and improve real-time perception. An oral presentation activity, supported by specific preparation and delivery strategies, concludes each unit and includes the opportunity for peer evaluation. Proficiency assessments composed of short academic audio lectures and multiple-choice exams simulate TOEFL-style test format for practice on high-stakes tests. New Essential Online Resources include audio, video, and teacher materials (assessments, teaching notes, answer keys, audioscripts, presentation points, and more). Other Highlights Corpus vocabulary drawn from the Academic Word List ensures that students are exposed to core academic vocabulary. Collaborative activities with presentation strategies and peer evaluations allow students to make connections and develop critical thinking skills. Unit comprehension tests assess students' grasp of key concepts presented in the unit lecture. Mapped to the Global Scale of English.

Could we colonize Mars if we wanted to? Has surveillance reached "Big Brother" proportions? What are some of the latest theories for slowing aging? You'll find the answers to these and other questions in Contemporary Topics 3 (Series Editor: Michael Rost), which features college lectures from several academic disciplines, including astronomy, political science, and biology. Contemporary Topics 3 prepares students for the challenge of college lectures with practice in a wide range of listening, speaking and note-taking skills and strategies. The lectures (available on CD and DVD) were filmed in realistic academic setting before line student audiences. DVD Features Realistic college lectures from a range of academic disciplines (also on audio CDs) Student discussions of the lectures (also on audio CDs) Instructors' Presentation Points Coaching Tips that guide students as they take notes Subtitles for lectures and student discussions Course Features Corpus-based vocabulary drawn from the Academic Word List Practical listening and note-taking strategies Note-review practice that allows students to analyze their note-taking skills and consolidate their understanding of the lecture Academic research and speaking tasks: presentation, discussions, and role plays A Teacher's Pack for busy instructors with: Suggested bonus activities Teaching notes Answer keys Audioscripts Simulated TOEFL® Listening Test for each unit See also: Contemporary Topics Introductory (High Beginner) Contemporary Topics 1 (Intermediate) Contemporary Topics 2 (High Intermediate)

This outstanding three-title series prepares college-bound ESL students to understand academic lectures in English. Each text equips students for the challenges of college and university study by helping them listen selectively, take notes, review key ideas, retain information, and apply what they have learned. Twelve recorded lectures in each level are performed in lively and natural styles to provide a motivating introduction to academic listening. Lectures cover a wide range of thought-provoking contemporary topics. Controlled, realistic note-taking practice, ample pre-listening activities, vocabulary preview, post-lecture tests, and a wealth of illustrations also aid student understanding. Audiocassettes offer full lectures, presented both divided into parts and in their entirety. Each book offers the following features: -- Topic preview -- Vocabulary preview -- Identifying main ideas and supporting details -- Note-taking skills -- Review and post-listening tests -- Application of ideas through post-listening activities

Now in a fourth edition, Contemporary Topics expands on its highly respected approach to developing academic listening and study skills. Organized around realistic college lectures, the text guides learners through carefully sequenced activities in skills such as note-taking, focusing attention, intensive listening, and vocabulary building. It also helps students evaluate their interests and explore possible career paths. New to This Edition New subject areas, presented as one-on-one academic lectures, emphasize professional applications such as software engineering, multimedia design, information technology, urban planning, and social psychology. Learning Outcomes listed at the outset of each unit let students know the goals of each unit and what their learning experience will be. New audio interviews with topic experts provide context for the upcoming unit lecture. Bottom-up listening and pronunciation exercises emphasize important principles and improve real-time perception. An oral presentation activity, supported by specific preparation and delivery strategies, concludes each unit and includes the opportunity for peer evaluation. Proficiency assessments composed of short academic audio lectures and multiple-choice exams simulate TOEFL-style test format for practice on high-stakes tests. New Essential Online Resources include audio, video, and teacher materials (assessments, teaching notes, answer keys, audioscripts, presentation points, and more). Other Highlights Corpus vocabulary drawn from the Academic Word List ensures that students are exposed to core academic vocabulary. Collaborative activities with presentation strategies and peer evaluations allow students to make connections and develop critical thinking skills. Unit comprehension tests assess students' grasp of key concepts presented in the unit lecture. Mapped to the Global Scale of English.