Body language and content Selection and grading of language items Presentation and practice of new language items

1.5 Language skills

Language skills in this textbook can be seen in the dialogues, pictures, that refer to speaking, writing, listening, and reading skills. Each section of the Spark 3 involves the four language skills. The textbook also contains a section named ‘Skills’ which consists of two pages. In this section are integrated the four language skills. Despite of this, speaking, writing and reading are also found in separate sections.
Interesting to note is that the speaking is related with everyday situations. In the speaking skill, the students can play a role based on the dialogues. In the writing skill, the students can write an essay. In the reading skill, the students can read first the dialogues before they play a role. In the listening skill, they can listen to different audio material presented in the exercises or listen to the songs provided in the ‘Fun Time’ page.
Conclusion
Spark 3 constitutes a hybrid syllabus combining structural and functional syllabus. The underlying syllabus of Spark 3 is functional, followed by a structural syllabus. Each module contains a ‘Pronunciation’ corner. Phonology is introduced through various activities such as listening, dialogue and phonics. Vocabulary tasks are often depicted with pictures. New vocabulary is presented in context. The textbook presents grammatical rules clearly, in a simple way and in relation with students’ language needs.


Chapter 2
Selection and grading of language items

A syllabus is a specification of the content in a course of instructions and lists what will be taught and tested. It is very important to evaluate the approach to syllabus design adopted by a coursebook. Syllabuses may be either structural or functional. The organization of content in a syllabus is called grading, which includes progression and recycling.

2.1 Syllabus
Spark 3 combines functional and structural syllabus. The underlying syllabus of the textbook is functional (topics, skills, and lexis), followed by a structural syllabus (grammar and pronunciation), it represents what Cunningsworth calls a combination of ‘rules-based’ and ‘performance-based’ approaches. The major goal of Spark 3 is to develop learner’s fluency through language practice and skills work.