Curriculum and textbooks

 

We introduce a lesson curriculum based on students needs and teachers advice.
「Side by side」 text books are recommended for entry level students.Usually, advanced level students have specific requests for lessons. Here is some sample lesson plan.

atlas lesson curriculum


When learning a language, the three most important senses are
1. Visual- See and understand. (Reading, writing.)
2. Aural- Hear and understand. (Speaking, listening.)
3. Kinetic- Do and understand. (Writing, speaking.)

"I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand."
This is a commonly heard expression, and often accurate. However every individual and every language uses these three senses to different degrees. Please try to include them all in every lesson. Exercises such as reading aloud and role-plays, which use more than one sense are particularly effective.

Explanations of difficult concepts or structures ideally should also include multiple senses, such as a combination of a verbal explanation (aural), time-line (visual) and having the student make sentences related to their life (kinetic).


Schliemann, a famous linguist and discoverer of the Ancient Greek city of Troy developed what he believed were indispensable steps for effective language acquisition. They are still valid today.
1. Read aloud daily.
2. Don't translate.
3. Study daily.
4. Write essays.
5. Have the essays corrected by an instructor.
6. Learn the essays by heart.
7. Review the previous lesson everyday.

ATLASR's curriculum is designed to provide both the student and instructor as much support as possible to assist the student in achieving their goals.

When joining our program, students specify their end goal, and an independent company (TOEIC or CASEC) tests their current English speaking level. ATLASR then determines what is necessary for the student to achieve those goals in the time frame given. This will include home study and lesson curriculum, as well as a self-motivation program.

Prior to the student's counseling session, the instructor is contacted and asked for their input for both the home and lesson curricula. A final copy of the curriculum is then given to the student in Japanese with a copy in English for the instructor. The instructor is asked to follow the curriculum for the next three months.

The student will undertake independent level checks, counseling and have their curricula customized at three-month intervals. The level checks will measure the student's progress and is an important factor in the development of their new study programs. If progress has not been made, ATLASR will try to locate the cause of this, and take proper action.

The counseling sessions allow the ATLASR staff a chance to make sure that the student is following the program, as well as giving the student a chance to voice their feelings, concerns and desires.

Students will be required to follow a self-motivation program called the 'Success navigator', and are encouraged to take a minimum of one lesson per week, so their progress is constantly being recorded.

 

STEP 1 「Greetings and Warm up」 10min

As a warm up, teachers should concentrate on the fundamentals needed for conversation. Small activity, Reviewing homework is also good for the student to be ready to speak English.
STEP 2 「Pronuciation exercise」 10min

Teachers should emphasize pronunciation practice before working on the main target of the lesson since the Japanese are rather weak at pronunciation in general.
STEP 3 「Text book or article(Input)」 20min

Use the text book to input information that students cannot obtain effectively by self-teaching. Note that there is important grammar noted throughout the textbook.
STEP 4

「Free talking with topics (Output)」 20min

Decide a word( or topic) at the previous lesson and have the student present the definition of the word( or topic) to the teacher at the next lesson. 

Teachers should ask questions to create more chances for the student to speak. New vocabulary from the lesson should also be incorporated into the conversation as much as possible.

text1

「Side By Side」

Side by Side, Third Edition, by Steven J. Molinsky and Bill Bliss, is a dynamic, all-skills program that integrates conversation practice, reading, writing, and listening -- all in a light-hearted, fun, and easy-to-use format that has been embraced by students and teachers worldwide.

This four-level program promotes native communication between students ... practicing speaking together "side by side."

TEXT2

「New Interchange」

New Interchange is a multi-level series for adult and young adult learners of English from the beginning to the high-intermediate level.

The Student's Book, Level 1, builds on the foundations established in the Intro level for accurate and fluent communication, extending grammatical, lexical, and functional skills.

Beautiful color photographs and illustrations facilitate the teaching of new vocabulary. The New Interchange series teaches students to use English for everyday situations and purposes related to school, work, social life, and leisure.

As with the other levels of New Interchange, a complete set of ancillaries, including a video program, is available to make classes interesting and productive.  

TEXT3

「English Grammar in Use (Third Edition)

English Grammar in Use Third Edition is a fully updated version of the classic grammar title. It retains all the key features of clarity and accessibility that have made the book so popular with students and teachers.

This new edition is designed to be flexible. The book is available both with and without answers, so can be used in class or for homework. The books come with a handy pullout reference panel, which allows students to review key grammar points.

The 'with answers' version of the book is also available packaged with a brand new CD-ROM. Key Features Ten completely new units, including nine new units on phrasal verbs to extend this important area for intermediate students. Includes even more Additional Exercises, to offer more contrastive practice.

Informed by the Cambridge International Corpus to ensure all the language taught is authentic and up-to-date. In full colour and has a slightly larger format to appeal to students.

TEXT4

「Market Leader」

Now students of all abilities can feel comfortable and confident in any business situation with the language program designed especially for them! Developed in association with the Financial Times, Market Leader is the definitive business English course, with flexible, up-to-date materials reflecting todays dynamic business environment.

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