Interchange
Intro
Unit 1 – It’s nice to meet you.
Topics
Alphabet; greetings and leave-takings; names and titles of address; numbers 0–10, phone numbers, and email addresses
Grammar
Possessive adjectives my, your, his, her; the verb be; affirmative statements and contractions
Pronunciation/Listening
Linked sounds Listening for the spelling of names, phone numbers, and email addresses
Writing/Reading
Writing a list of names, phone numbers, and email addresses
Activity
“Famous classmates”: Introducing yourself to new people
Unit 2 – What’s this?
Topics
Possessions, classroom objects, personal items, and locations in a room
Grammar
Articles a, an, and the; this/these, it/they; plurals; yes/no and where questions with be; prepositions of place: in, in front of, behind, on, next to, and under
Speaking
Naming objects; asking for and giving the locations of objects
Pronunciation/Listening
Plural -s endings Listening for the locations of objects
Writing/Reading
Writing the locations of objects
Activity
“Find the differences”: Comparing two pictures of a room
Unit 3 – Where are you from?
Topics
Cities and countries; adjectives of personality and appearance; numbers 11–103 and ages
Grammar
The verb be: affirmative and negative statements, yes/no questions, short answers, and Wh-questions
Speaking
Talking about cities and countries; asking for and giving information about place of origin, nationality, first language, and age; describing people
Pronunciation/Listening
Syllable stress Listening for countries, cities, and languages; listening to descriptions of people
Writing/Reading
Writing questions requesting personal information
Activity
“Board game”: Finding out more about your classmates
Unit 4 – Whose jeans are these?
Topics
Clothing; colors; weather and seasons
Grammar
Possessives: adjectives our and their, pronouns, names, and whose; present continuous statements and yes/no questions; conjunctions and, but, and so; placement of adjectives
before nouns
Speaking
Asking about and describing clothing and colors; talking about the weather and seasons; finding the owners of objects
Pronunciation/Listening
The letters s and sh Listening for descriptions of clothing and colors
Writing/Reading
Writing questions about what people are wearing
Activity
“Celebrity fashions”: Describing celebrities’ clothing
Unit 5 – What are you doing?
Topics
Clock time; times of the day; everyday activities
Grammar
Time expressions: o’clock, a.m., p.m., noon, midnight, in the morning/ afternoon/evening, at 7:00/night/ midnight; present continuous Wh-questions
Speaking
Asking for and telling time; asking about and describing current activities
Pronunciation/Listening
Rising and falling intonation Listening for times of the day; listening to identify people’s actions
Writing/Reading
Writing times of the day “Friends Across a Continent”: Reading an online chat between two friends
Activity
“What’s wrong with this picture?”: Describing what’s wrong with a picture
Unit 6 – My sister works downtown.
Topics
Transportation; family relationships; daily routines; days of the week
Grammar
Simple present statements with regular and irregular verbs; simple present yes/no and Wh-questions; time expressions: early, late, every day, on Sundays/weekends/weekdays
Speaking
Asking for and giving information about how people go to work or school; talking about family members; describing daily and weekly routines
Pronunciation/Listening
Third-person singular -s endings Listening for activities and days of the week
Writing/Reading
Writing about your weekly routine “What’s Your Schedule Like?”: Reading about three people’s daily schedules
Activity
“Class survey”: Finding out more about classmates’ habits and routines
Unit 7 – Does it have a view?
Topics
Houses and apartments; rooms; furniture
Grammar
Simple present short answers; there is, there are; there’s no, there isn’t a, there are no, there aren’t any
Speaking
Asking about and describing houses and apartments; talking about the furniture in a room
Pronunciation/Listening
Words with th Listening to descriptions of homes; listening to people shop for furniture
Writing/Reading
Writing about your dream home “Unusual Homes”: Reading about two unusual homes
Activity
“Find the differences”: Comparing two apartments
Unit 8 – What do you do?
Topics
Jobs and workplaces
Grammar
Simple present Wh-questions with do and does; placement of adjectives after be and before nouns
Speaking
Asking for and giving information about work; giving opinions about jobs; describing workday routines
Pronunciation/Listening
Reduction of do Listening to people describe their jobs
Writing/Reading
Writing about jobs “Job Profiles”: Reading about four unusual jobs
Activity
“The perfect job”: Figuring out what job is right for you
Unit 9 – Do we need any eggs?
Topics
Basic foods; breakfast foods; meals
Grammar
Count and noncount nouns; some and any; adverbs of frequency: always, usually, often, sometimes, hardly ever, never
Speaking
Talking about food likes and dislikes; giving opinions about healthy and unhealthy foods; talking about foods you have and need; describing eating habits
Pronunciation/Listening
Sentence stress Listening for people’s food preferences
Writing/Reading
Writing about mealtime habits “Eating for Good Luck”: Reading about foods people eat for good luck in the new year
Activity
“Snack survey”: Taking a survey about snacks you eat and comparing answers
Unit 10 – What sports do you play?
Topics
Sports; abilities and talents
Grammar
Simple present Wh-questions; can for ability; yes/no and Wh-questions with can
Speaking
Asking about free-time activities; asking for and giving information about abilities and talents
Pronunciation/Listening
Pronunciation of can and can’t Listening for people’s favorite sports to watch or play; listening to people talk about their abilities
Writing/Reading
Writing questions about sports “An Interview with Shawn Johnson”: Reading about the life of an Olympic athlete
Activity
“Hidden talents”: Finding out more about your classmates’ hidden talents
Unit 11 – What are you going to do?
Topics
Months and dates; birthdays, holidays, festivals, and special days
Grammar
The future with be going to; yes/no and Wh-questions with be going to; future time expressions
Speaking
Asking about birthdays; talking about plans for the evening, weekend, and other occasions
Pronunciation/Listening
Reduction of going to Listening to people talk about their evening plans
Writing/Reading
Writing about weekend plans “What Are You Going to Do on Your Birthday?”: Reading about birthday customs in different places
Activity
“Guessing game”: Making guesses about a classmate’s plans
Unit 12 – What’s the matter?
Topics
Parts of the body; health problems and advice; medications
Grammar
Have + noun; feel + adjective; negative and positive adjectives; imperatives
Speaking
Describing health problems; talking about common medications; giving advice for health problems
Pronunciation/Listening
Sentence intonation Listening to people talk about health problems; listening for medications
Writing/Reading
Writing advice for health problems “10 Simple Ways to Improve Your Health”: Reading about ways to improve your health
Activity
“Helpful advice”: Giving advice for some common problems
Unit 13 – You can’t miss it.
Topics
Stores and things you can buy there; tourist attractions
Grammar
Prepositions of place: on, on the corner of, across from, next to, between; giving directions with imperatives
Speaking
Talking about stores and other places; asking for and giving directions
Pronunciation/Listening
Compound nouns Listening to people talk about shopping; listening to directions
Writing/Reading
Writing directions “Edinburgh’s Royal Mile”: Reading about popular tourist attractions in Edinburgh, Scotland
Activity
“Giving directions”: Asking for directions in a neighborhood
Unit 14 – Did you have fun?
Topics
Weekends; chores and fun activities; vacations; summer activities
Grammar
Simple past statements with regular and irregular verbs; simple past yes/no questions and short answers
Speaking
Asking for and giving information about weekend and vacation activities
Pronunciation/Listening
Simple past -ed endings Listening to people talk about their past summer activities
Writing/Reading
Writing about last weekend “Did You Have a Good Weekend?”: Reading about four people’s weekend experiences
Activity
“Past and present”: Comparing your classmates’ present lives with their childhoods
Unit 15 – Where did you grow up?
Topics
Biographical information; years; school days
Grammar
Statements and questions with the past of be; Wh-questions with did, was, and were
Speaking
Asking for and giving information about date and place of birth; describing school experiences and memories
Pronunciation/Listening
Negative contractions Listening for places and dates of birth
Writing/Reading
Writing questions about a young person’s life “Turning Pain to Gain”: Reading about a young woman’s life
Activity
“Life events”: Making a time line of important events in your life
Unit 16 – Can she call you later?
Topics
Locations; telephone calls; invitations; going out with friends
Grammar
Prepositional phrases; subject and object pronouns; invitations with Do you want to…? and Would you like to…?; verb + to
Speaking
Describing people’s locations; making, accepting, and declining invitations; making excuses
Pronunciation/Listening
Reduction of want to and have to Listening to phone conversations; listening to voice-mail messages
Writing/Reading
Writing about weekend plans “Around Los Angeles: This Weekend”: Reading about events on a web page
Activity
“Let’s make a date!”: Making plans with your classmates
Level 1
Unit 1 – Please call me Beth.
Topics
Introductions and greetings; names, countries, and nationalities
Grammar
Wh-questions and statements with be; questions with what, where, who, and how; yes/no questions and short answers with be; subject pronouns; possessive adjectives
Speaking
Introducing yourself; introducing someone; checking information; exchanging personal information; saying hello and good-bye
Pronunciation/Listening
Linked sounds Listening for names and countries
Writing/Reading
Writing questions requesting personal information “What’s in a Name?”: Reading about popular names
Activity
“Getting to know you”: Collecting personal information about classmates
Unit 2 – What do you do?
Topics
Jobs, workplaces, and school; daily schedules; clock time
Grammar
Simple present Wh-questions and statements; question: when; time expressions: at, in, on, around, early, late, until, before, and after
Speaking
Describing work and school; asking for and giving opinions; describing daily schedules
Pronunciation/Listening
Syllable stress Listening to descriptions of jobs and daily routines
Writing/Reading
Writing a biography of a classmate “Why Do You Need a Job?”: Reading about people who need jobs
Activity
“Common ground”: Finding similarities in classmates’ daily schedules
Unit 3 – How much is it?
Topics
Shopping and prices; clothing and personal items; colors and materials
Grammar
Demonstratives: this, that, these, those; one and ones; questions: how much and which; comparisons with adjectives
Speaking
Talking about prices; giving opinions; discussing preferences; making comparisons; buying and selling things
Pronunciation/Listening
Sentence stress Listening to people shopping; listening for items, colors, and prices
Writing/Reading
Writing a comparison of prices in different countries “Tools for Better Shopping”: Reading about electronic tools for shopping
Activity
“Are you free this weekend?”: Making plans; inviting and giving excuses
Unit 4 – I really like hip-hop.
Topics
Music, movies, and TV programs; entertainers; invitations and excuses; dates and times
Grammar
Yes/no and Wh-questions with do; question: what kind; object pronouns; modal verb would; verb + to + verb
Speaking
Talking about likes and dislikes; giving opinions; making invitations and excuses
Pronunciation/Listening
Intonation in questions Identifying musical styles; listening for likes and dislike
Writing/Reading
Writing a text message “Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas”: Reading about a famous entertainer
Activity
“Are you free this weekend?”: Making plans; inviting and giving excuses
Unit 5 – I come from a big family.
Topics
Families; typical families
Grammar
Present continuous yes/no and Wh- questions, statements, and short answers; quantifiers: all, nearly all, most, many, a lot of, some, not many, and few; pronoun: no one
Speaking
Talking about families and family members; exchanging information about the present; describing family life
Pronunciation/Listening
Intonation in statements Listening for family relationships
Writing/Reading
Writing an email about family “Stay-at-Home Dads”: Reading about three father
Activity
“Family facts”: Finding out information about classmates’ families
Unit 6 – How often do you exercise?
Topics
Sports, fitness activities, and exercise; routines
Grammar
Adverbs of frequency: always, almost always, usually, often, sometimes, hardly ever, almost never, and never; questions: how often, how long, how well, and how good; short
answers
Speaking
Asking about and describing routines and exercise; talking about frequency; discussing sports and athletes; talking about abilities
Pronunciation/Listening
Intonation with direct address Listening to people talking about free time activities; listening to descriptions of sports participation
Writing/Reading
Writing about favorite activities “Health and Fitness Quiz”: Reading about and taking a quiz
Activity
“Do you dance?”: Finding out about classmates’ abilities
Unit 7 – We had a great time
Topics
Free-time and weekend activities
Grammar
Simple past yes/no and Wh-questions, statements, and short answers with regular and irregular verbs; past of be
Speaking
Talking about past events; giving opinions about past experiences; talking about vacations
Pronunciation/Listening
Reduction of did you Listening to descriptions and opinions of past events and vacations
Writing/Reading
Writing an online post “Vacation Posts”: Reading about different kinds of vacations
Activity
“Thinking back”: Playing a board game
Unit 8 – What’s your neighborhood like?
Topics
Stores and places in a city; neighborhoods; houses and apartments
Grammar
There is/there are; one, any, and some; prepositions of place; quantifiers; questions: how many and how much; count and noncount nouns
Speaking
Asking about and describing locations of places; asking about and describing neighborhoods; asking about quantities
Pronunciation/Listening
Reduction of there is/there are Listening for locations and descriptions of place
Writing/Reading
Writing a “roommate wanted” ad “The World in One Neighborhood”: Reading about a Toronto neighborhood
Activity
“Where Am I?”: describing and guessing locations
Unit 9 – What does she look like?
Topics
Appearance and dress; clothing and clothing styles; people
Grammar
Questions for describing people: What…look like, how old, how tall, how long, and what color; modifiers with participles and prepositions
Speaking
Asking about and describing people’s appearance; identifying people
Pronunciation/Listening
Contrastive stress Listening to descriptions of people; identifying people
Writing/Reading
Writing an email describing people “Your Style Questions Answered!”: Reading about clothing styles
Activity
“Find the differences”: Comparing two pictures of a party
Unit 10 – Have you ever ridden a camel?
Topics
Past experiences; unusual activities
Grammar
Present perfect yes/no and Wh- questions, statements, and short answers with regular and irregular past participles; already and yet; present perfect vs. simple past; for and since
Speaking
Describing past experiences; exchanging information about past experiences and events
Pronunciation/Listening
Linked sounds Listening to descriptions of events
Writing/Reading
Writing an email to an old friend “Taking the Risk”: Reading about unusual or dangerous sports
Activity
“Find the differences”: Comparing two pictures of a party
Unit 11 – It’s a very exciting place!
Topics
Past experiences; unusual activities
Grammar
Present perfect yes/no and Wh- questions, statements, and short answers with regular and irregular past participles; already and yet; present perfect vs. simple past; for and since
Speaking
Describing past experiences; exchanging information about past experiences and events
Pronunciation/Listening
Can’t and shouldn’t Listening to descriptions of cities and hometowns; listening for incorrect information
Writing/Reading
Writing an article “Greetings from . . .”: Reading about interesting cities
Activity
“City guide”: Creating a guide to fun places in a city
Unit 12 – It really works!
Topics
Health problems; medication and remedies; products in a pharmacy
Grammar
Adjective + infinitive; noun + infinitive; modal verbs could and should for suggestions; modal verbs can, could, and may for requests
Speaking
Talking about health problems; asking for and giving advice; making requests; asking for and giving suggestions
Pronunciation/Listening
Reduction of to Listening to health problems and advice
Writing/Reading
Writing a letter to an advice columnist “Rain Forest Remedies?”: Reading about natural products as medicine
Activity
“Help!”: Playing a board game
Unit 13 – May I take your order?
Topics
Food and restaurants
Grammar
So, too, neither, and either; modal verbs would and will for requests
Speaking
Expressing likes and dislikes; agreeing and disagreeing; ordering a meal
Pronunciation/Listening
Stress in responses Listening to restaurant orders
Writing/Reading
Writing a restaurant review “To Tip or Not to Tip?”: Reading about tipping customs
Activity
“Plan a menu”: Creating a menu of dishes
Unit 14 – The biggest and the best
Topics
World geography and facts; countries
Grammar
Comparative and superlative forms of adjectives; questions: how far, how big, how high, how deep, how long, how hot, and how cold
Speaking
Describing countries; making comparisons; expressing opinions; talking about distances and measurements
Pronunciation/Listening
Questions of choice Listening to a TV game show
Writing/Reading
Writing about a place in your country “Things You Can Do to Help the Environment”: Reading about the environment
Activity
“How much do you know?”: Taking a general knowledge quiz
Unit 15 – I’m going to a soccer match.
Topics
Invitations and excuses; leisure-time activities; telephone messages
Grammar
Future with present continuous and be going to; messages with tell and ask
Speaking
Talking about plans; making invitations; accepting and refusing invitations; giving reasons; taking and leaving messages
Pronunciation/Listening
Reduction of could you and would you Listening to telephone messages
Writing/Reading
Writing unusual favors “Cell Phone Etiquette”: Reading about cell phone manners
Activity
“Weekend plans”: Finding out about classmates’ weekend plans
Unit 16 – A change for the better!
Topics
Life changes; plans and hopes for the future
Grammar
Describing changes with the present tense, the past tense, the present perfect, and the comparative; verb + infinitive
Speaking
Exchanging personal information; describing changes; talking about plans for the future
Pronunciation/Listening
Vowel sounds /ou/ and /ʌ/ Listening to descriptions of changes
Writing/Reading
Writing a plan for a class party “Setting Personal Goals”: Reading about goals and priorities
Activity
“My possible future”: Planning a possible future