Insights I: A Content-Based Approach to Academic Preparation - Tapa blanda

Using a content-based approach, the Insights series helps students meet the demands of academic English. Authentic readings and university lectures across the curriculum, and stimulating discussion and writing topics, lead students to synthesize information and alternative points of view.

This two-level series features:
-- An integrated skills approach. Each unit interweaves reading, writing, speaking, and listening activities, with grammar and vocabulary exercises derived from the source materials.
-- Materials developed from actual university courses on high-interest topics from the sciences and humanities to astronomy and folklore. Students can see how academic skills learned in one discipline transfer to work in other fields.
-- Videotapes of authentic university lectures. Unlike studio-produced lectures, authentic lectures illustrate natural language and lecture style, and North American classroom culture.
-- A wide variety of academic strategies throughout the texts include listening for emphasis cues, and using examples with generalizations.

Jan Frodesen is Director of ESL in the Department of Linguistics, University of California, Santa Barbara, where she reaches graduate and undergraduate courses in ESL and TESL. Her research and professional interests includes composition pedagogy, academic literacy, development, pedagogical grammar and ESL articulation issues in post secondary education.

Christine Holten is a lecturer in the Department of Applied Linguistics and TESOL at UCLA. She teaches ESL writing course for graduate and undergraduate students and also teacher preparation course in the graduate program. She has presented and published on topics such as writing conferences, grammar and language in writing instruction, composition tutoring, and portfolio assessment.

Brinton is employed by University of California, Los Angeles.