"NorthStar, Fourth Edition is an integrated-skills English course that empowers adult and young adult English language learners to achieve their academic and personal goals. Current and thought-provoking topics promote language development and critical thinking skills.

Building on the success of previous editions, this new fourth edition engages and motivates students with new and updated content.

What is new in the fifth edition?
New and updated content with a new theme keeps students motivated.
The new design and imagery bring the activities to life.
Learning outcomes are created using the Global Scale of English (GSE) so students can track their progress more easily.
Every unit offers note-taking practice and writing skill development.
Scaffolded critical thinking activities are clearly marked to help students develop their academic skills.
Academic Word List words are highlighted to help students identify essential vocabulary.
New and updated activities in MyEnglishLab provide additional practice online.
ExamView Test Generator allows teachers to customize assessments.
Students can complete activities, listen to audio, and watch video on the go with the Pearson Practice English App." (Book Cover)

SCOPE AND SEQUENCE

Unit 1 UNIQUE HOMES
Listening 1: Living Small -- Listening 2: Treetop Living
Inference: Inferring both sides of a story
Note-Taking: Taking notes with + and /
Listening: Identifying and understanding advantages and disadvantages
Grammar: Present and past of be
Pronunciation: Stressing not
Speaking: Asking for more information
Final Speaking Task: Role-play: discussion between two friends looking for a place to live near their university (tiny house or large apartment)
Video: Tiny Homes
Assessments: Pre-Unit Diagnostic: Check What You Know; Checkpoint 1; Checkpoint 2; Unit Achievement Test
Unit Project: Research and give a report on a tiny house

Unit 2 MAKING UNUSUAL ART
Listening 1: Mia Pearlman -- Listening 2: The Quilts of Gee's Bend
Inference:
Note-Taking:
Listening:
Grammar:
Pronunciation:
Speaking:
Final Speaking Task:
Video:
Assessments: Pre-Unit Diagnostic: Check What You Know; Checkpoint 1; Checkpoint 2; Unit Achievement Test
Unit Project:

Unit 3 SPECIAL POSSESSIONS
Listening 1: The Story of Dream Catchers -- Listening 2: Toys in College
Inference:
Note-Taking:
Listening:
Grammar:
Pronunciation:
Speaking:
Final Speaking Task:
Video: Assessments: Pre-Unit Diagnostic: Check What You Know; Checkpoint 1; Checkpoint 2; Unit Achievement Test
Unit Project:

Unit 4 CREATIVITY IN BUSINESS
Listening 1: KK Gregory, Young and Creative -- Listening 2: A Business Class
Inference:
Note-Taking:
Listening:
Grammar:
Pronunciation:
Speaking:
Final Speaking Task:
Video:
Assessments: Pre-Unit Diagnostic: Check What You Know; Checkpoint 1; Checkpoint 2; Unit Achievement Test
Unit Project:

Unit 5 UNDERSTANDING FEARS AND PHOBIAS
Listening 1: Human Minds: A Radio Show -- Listening 2: Crossing a Bridge

Inference: Inferring the meaning of exaggerations

Note-Taking: Taking notes with bullets and dashes

Listening: Recognizing contradictions

Grammar: Simple past

Pronunciation: Pronouncing -ed endings

Speaking: Giving orders, advice, and encouragement

Final Speaking Task: Role-play: a conversation about water phobia

Video: Water phobias
Assessments: Pre-Unit Diagnostic: Check What You Know; Checkpoint 1; Checkpoint 2; Unit Achievement Test
Unit Project: Research and prepare an oral report on a phobia

Unit 6 RISKS AND CHALLENGES
Listening 1: The Amazing Swimmer, Diana Nyad -- Listening 2: An Outward Journeys Experience
Inference:
Note-Taking:
Listening:
Grammar:
Pronunciation:
Speaking:
Final Speaking Task:
Video:
Assessments: Pre-Unit Diagnostic: Check What You Know; Checkpoint 1; Checkpoint 2; Unit Achievement Test
Unit Project:

Unit 7 ONLY CHILD - LONELY CHILD?
Listening 1: Changing Families -- Listening 2: How Do Only Kids Feel?
Inference:
Note-Taking:
Listening:
Grammar:
Pronunciation:
Speaking:
Final Speaking Task:
Video:
Assessments: Pre-Unit Diagnostic: Check What You Know; Checkpoint 1; Checkpoint 2; Unit Achievement Test
Unit Project:

Unit 8 SOCCER: THE BEAUTIFUL GAME
Listening 1: The Sports File -- Listening 2: America Talks
Inference: Inferring the meaning of comparisons
Note-Taking: Taking notes with e.g. and ex.
Listening: Identifying signal words for reasons and results
Grammar: Comparative adjectives
Pronunciation: Using contrastive stress
Speaking: Expressing results
Final Speaking Task: Oral presentation: choose a new spokesperson for an energy drink
Video: Sports for non-jocks
Assessments: Pre-Unit Diagnostic: Check What You Know; Checkpoint 1; Checkpoint 2; Unit Achievement Test
Unit Project: Research a famous international player in American sports and present information