Level 3 in the Culture Link series.

"Global Focus is an advanced ESL text for adult and young adult learners. This four-skill book uses significant cultural events as a starting point for each theme-based chapter. It is the third level of the new Culture Link series of four-skill, culture-focused books.

Each chapter builds upon the content of the featured cultural event, examining new vocabulary, grammar structures, and themes. The book fulfills the practical teaching needs of the classroom in interesting ways through the use of authentic content, including popular songs and audio clips from sources including the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)." (Publisher's website)

CONTENTS:

CHAPTER AND EVENT - 1. The Cold War
Artist and Song: Bob Dylan, "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall"
Genre: Folk
Chapter Preview Skill: Discussing famous quotations
Reading: Previewing; Stylistic analysis Writing: Supporting claims with evidence; Short-answer exam questions
Listening: Following on interview; Listening for: topic, main ideas, and conclusion
Speaking: Summarizing key points

CHAPTER AND EVENT - 2. Music and Sport
Artist and Song: Gerry and the Pacemakers: "You'll Never Walk Alone"
Genre: Rock
Chapter Preview Skill: Understanding / Interpreting research studies
Reading: Summarizing key points
Writing: Developing a thesis statement
Listening: Note-taking skills
Speaking: Thinking on your feet

CHAPTER AND EVENT - 3. Tragedies at Sea
Artist and Song: Gordon Lightfoot, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald"
Genre: Folk
Chapter Preview Skill: Discussing personal experiences
Reading: Evaluating sources of information
Writing: Writing a persuasive essay
Listening: Listening for cause and effect
Speaking: (Short) Presentation skills

CHAPTER AND EVENT - 4. Bloody Sunday
Artist and Song: U2, "Sunday Bloody Sunday"
Genre: Rock
Chapter Preview Skill: Drawing inferences from headlines
Reading: Reading an exam question
Writing: Writing for an audience
Listening: Listening for facts (from a radio program)
Speaking: Summarizing events; Speaking clearly; Expressing opinions with critical thinking; Thinking on your feet

CHAPTER AND EVENT - 5. Apartheid
Artist and Song: Vusi Mahlasela, "Weeping"
Genre: African Folk
Chapter Preview Skill: Discussing hypothetical situations
Reading: Paraphrasing quotations; Summaries
Writing: How to quote source material
Listening: Listening for gist and details; Note-taking skills
Speaking: Defending a point of view

CHAPTER AND EVENT - 6. Race Relations in America
Artist and Song: Public Enemy, "Fear of the Black Planet"
Genre: Hip Hop
Chapter Preview Skill: Listening to commentary and discussing
Reading: Making inferences
Writing: Editing and proofreading skills
Listening: Preparing questions while listening
Speaking: Presentation skills; Thinking on your feet

CHAPTER AND EVENT - 7. The Stolen Generation
Artist and Song: Archie Roach, "Took the Children Away"
Genre: Folk-Rock
Chapter Preview Skill: Analyzing a timeline for information
Reading: Synthesizing material; Reading exam questions
Writing: Unity and coherence; Developing a thesis statement
Listening: Note-taking skills; Listening for gist and details; Listening for facts; Listening for cause and effect; Listening for: topic, main ideas, conclusion
Speaking: Informal debates

CHAPTER AND EVENT - 8. Science and Crime
Artist and Song: The Tragically Hip, "Wheat Kings"
Genre: Rock
Chapter Preview Skill: Drawing inferences from headlines
Reading: Reading for arguments and counter-arguments
Writing: Compare-and-contrast essay
Listening: Following a linear argument; Following an interview
Speaking: Defending an argument; Thinking on your feet

CHAPTER AND EVENT - 9. Space Exploration
Artist and Song: Inspiral Carpets, "Saturn 5"
Genre: Brit Pop
Chapter Preview Skill: Listening to commentary and discussing
Reading: Evaluating sources of information; Reading for arguments and counter-arguments
Writing: Dealing with counter-arguments; Persuasive essay
Listening: Listening for gist and details
Speaking: Thinking on your feet; Summarizing key points

CHAPTER AND EVENT - 10. Elements of War
Artist and Song: Arcade Fire: "Intervention"
Genre: Indie Rock
Chapter Preview Skill: Discussing relevance of famous quotations
Reading: SQ3R; Reading exam questions
Writing: Writing an in-class essay exam; Thesis statements
Listening: Identifying logical fallacies
Speaking: Arguing with fallacies; Defending a point of view

For advanced ESL learners.