Compelling Conversations: Questions and Quotations on Timeless Topics- An Engaging ESL Textbook for Advanced Students - Softcover

Eric H. Roth; Toni Aberson

Softcover

ISBN 10: 141965828X ISBN 13: 9781419658280

Publisher: BookSurge Publishing, 2007

Synopsis

This innovative English as a second language textbook (ESL) helps advanced English language learners develop conversation skills and improve fluency by sharing experiences, reflecting on their lives, and discussing proverbs and quotations. The ELT book includes 45 thematic chapters, over 1400 questions, 500 vocabulary words, 250 proverbs and American idioms, and 500 quotations. Designed for both adult education and intensive English language students, the conversations deepen critical thinking skills and speaking skills essential to success in community college and university programs. Compelling Conversations has been used in classrooms in over 50 countries, recommended by English Teaching Professional magazine, and enjoyed by thousands of English students.

About this title

About the Author

Eric H. Roth teaches international graduate students the pleasures of writing and public speaking in English at the University of Southern California (USC). He also consults English language schools and leads workshops for ESL and ELL teachers.

A Lilly Scholar, Roth studied philosophy at Wabash College and received his M.A. from the New School.  Since 1992, Roth has taught English to high school, community college, adult, and university students. Highlights of his career include: teaching high school English language learners in Los Angeles (1991-1992) teaching citizenship in Santa Monica (1994); directing the CES Adult Education Center (1995-1998); teaching USC engineering students in Madrid (2007) and Paris (2008); and directing the APU International High School in Vietnam (2009).

Roth co-authored Compelling Conversations: Questions and Quotations on Timeless Topics in 2006 to help English language learners increase their fluency. Recommended by English Teaching Professional magazine, Compelling Conversations has been used 50+  countries.  Since 2008, Instant Conversation column has run in Easy English Times, an adult literacy newspaper. Compelling American Conversations: Questions and Quotations for Intermediate American English Language Learners - Volume 1 will be released in 2012.A member of the USC faculty since 2003, Roth is a member of numerous professional organizations including: California Association of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CATESOL); the International Communication Association (ICA); the International Professors Project (IPP); and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). The USC Center for Scholarly Technology awarded Roth two teaching with technology grants in 2011. He has given several CATESOL and TESOL conference presentations.

From the Back Cover

... highly effective

"In sum, Compelling Conversations is a recommended
resource for teachers who want to make their
conversation classes more learner-centered. It should
be especially appealing to those who wish to escape
the confines of the Presentation-Practice-Production
approach and do without a formal grammatical or
functional syllabus. It reflects the authors' considerable
professional experience, and would be a notable
addition to any English teacher's bookshelf."

Hall Houston
English Teaching Professional magazine

...hours of conversation practice

"I wish I had written this book! It will provide students
with hours of conversation practice."

Nina Ito
California State University Teacher and Co-author of
The Great Big BINGO Book: Bingo Games for ESL Learners

...excellent!

"This book is excellent! Both teachers and students love
it."
Marina Goldshteyn, Director
Community Enhancement Services College

...wonderful

"A wonderful source of materials triggering authentic
(not stilted) communication."

Dr. Sharon Myers, Lecturer
American Language Institute
University of Southern California

... natural conversations

"The students I tutor are well-educated adults, rich
in culture and experiences. This book allows them to
produce natural conversations using what is most
intimate to them: their lives and their culture."

Patricia Schulz, ESL Tutor

...allows students to learn by speaking

"Immigrants need to feel comfortable speaking
English, but too often students learn everything
except conversation in ESL classrooms. Compelling
Conversations allows students to learn by speaking."

Zigmund Vays, Founder/President
Community Enhancement Services College

Edition details

• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 141965828X
• ISBN 13: 9781419658280
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 164