Page 31 - ELG2307 Jul Issue 485

REVIEWS

The Angel
ISBN: 978-3-7114-0043-7
Midnight Bay
ISBN: 978-3-7114-0042-0
The Captain’s Castle
ISBN: 978-3-7114-0044-4
By Gavin Biggs
Helbling Languages, 2023

s a regular reviewer for this journal,
I often receive the latest offerings
from publishers of their class
Areaders. Although I’m very grateful
and of course enjoy reading them, they too
often reflect a degree of ‘sameness’ and
generally end up as gifts for friends’ school-
age children. I’m happy to report that the
three under review here from HELBLING
are very different; they form part of a new
series called ‘Listen In’, which as the name
suggests has a special focus on developing
active listening skills. Yes, I was as surprised
to read that as no doubt you are, but don’t go
away just yet.
The rationale behind a series of such
readers is based on data presented by the
publishers. They state that listening is the
key skill for language learners to develop
as it occupies 45% of the time we all spend
in communication. Two other points made
are how learners claim listening is the most
challenging of the four skills in English, and
that over 60% of all misunderstandings come
from poor listening, compared with only 1%
from poor reading. Such bold statements
are not merely plucked out of thin air; they
are taken from empirical research for which
references are given.
With the above in mind, HELBLING
have developed material that views listening
and reading not just as the traditionally
defined receptive skills, but as skills that
may be combined to form what they term
‘active listening’. This involves paying
attention to a spoken text in order to
fully understand not only the words, but
the intentions of the speaker. By means
of a variety of activities involving Before,
While and After reading, the skill of active
listening is cultivated, which in my humble
opinion is much more measurable than
the publisher’s claims for the development
of mindfulness and empathy. I stand to an exchange student in California, who on class reader contained more than a couple
be corrected on the latter; please feel discovering that sea animals have started of related and usually predictably dull
free to investigate the series and perhaps to attack humans decides to solve the activities. Flicking through the three titles
disabuse me. mystery of the bay. Angelica – ‘The Angel’ I was lucky to receive, however, I notice
The author of the three titles – each an – a thief bored with her success seeks her how space devoted to motivating activities
authentic tale – is Gavin Biggs, who has replacement. But can the local police stop outnumbers the actual text by a clear
carefully crafted them at slightly different her finding one? margin. How lucky teachers of today are;
levels. ‘The Captain’s Castle’ is designed In a further attempt to avoid pirate copies I had to design my own.
for learners at A1, ‘Midnight Bay’ at A1 or appearing on the market, the HELBLING
A2, and ‘The Angel’ for A2. Each provide Media App is only available by accessing
support for learners planning entry to the the secret code that may be revealed on the
Cambridge KET (Key English Test). Briefly, inside cover. Once there, though, a plethora Wayne Trotman is
‘The Captain’s Castle’ concerns Rocky of extra material is available for the keen a teacher educator
and Belle, who together on a school trip teacher, such as downloadable worksheets at Izmir Katip
investigate the return of the ghost of Captain with answer keys, plus the insightful Çelebi University,
James Sand who has come to view his hidden Teacher’s Guide to using the series. Back in Izmir, Turkey.
treasure. ‘Midnight Bay’ – my favourite in the day, newly-arrived teachers on foreign
case you’d like to know – involves Bella, shores, such as myself, were lucky if the
editorial@elgazette.com 31