Name of Trainer/Assessor: Alexandra Power

Question 2: Task
Minimum word length: 500

Take two textbooks with roughly equivalent aims (e.g. an Intermediate general course or one aimed at improving writing skills). Evaluate each on its own merits and then compare them, noting their strong and weak points.

In this comparative analysis, two textbooks will be examined and evaluated based on their individual merits, following which a comparison of the textbooks' strong and weak points will be presented. The textbooks chosen for this analysis are «Intermediate English» by Alan Williams and «Effective Writing» by Claire Bellingham. Both textbooks aim to teach the reader to improve their language and writing skills at an intermediate level.
«Intermediate English» is a comprehensive textbook that covers several aspects of the English language, including phonetics, grammar, and vocabulary. The book is structured in a way that promises clarity and understanding for the reader. The exercises within the textbook are simple yet effective in teaching the reader the basic concepts of grammar and syntax. Alan Williams' writing style is clear and concise, which allows the reader to grasp the concepts with ease. Additionally, the book includes examples of real-life situations, which helps the reader apply what they learn to practical scenarios.
On the other hand, Claire Bellingham's «Effective Writing» is solely focused on improving writing skills. The book covers concepts such as spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and paragraph organization. The writing style is conversational and friendly, which encourages the reader to engage with the book. The exercises within the book are challenging yet exciting, and allow the reader to practice improving their writing skills through different writing styles.
In comparing the strong and weak points of both textbooks, «Intermediate English» has an excellent structure and comprehensive approach to teaching the English language. However, the exercises within the book may not be very challenging for readers who are already familiar with intermediate concepts. In contrast, «Effective Writing» has a very engaging approach to teaching writing skills that is geared towards the reader. But, the book's focus on writing may not provide the same comprehensive approach to grammar that «Intermediate English» offers.
Overall, «Intermediate English» and «Effective Writing» are both useful textbooks for improving language and writing skills. However, each book has its strengths and weaknesses, and where one textbook may fall short, the other book may compensate for it. As such, those looking to improve their language and writing skills can utilize both books to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.