Real Talk: Authentic English in Context » (1st Edition)

Real Talk 1, by Lida Baker and Judith Tanka, helps intermediate to high-intermediate students break away from the classroom and enter the world of authentic English. Each of the book’s eight thematic chapters has four parts: In Person, On the Phone, On the Air, and In Class. The listening segments expose students to spontaneous face-to-face conversations, phone conversations and pre-recorded messages, radio broadcasts, and academic lectures.

Click here to order the Audio CD.

Listen to sample audio from Real Talk 1 (samples are in .mp3 format):

In Person: Chapter 3: Marrying Someone Different (2:13)

On the Phone: Chapter 6: Calling a Pharmacy (2:31)

On the Air: Chapter 8: Radio Interview — Lying (2:47)

In Class: Chapter 4: Lecture — Rap Music (abridged for sample) (2:10)

(Radio interview reproduced with permission of CBC.)

Features

• Experience authentic language features such as hesitation, interruption, and interjection.

• Vocabulary exercises prepare students to discuss specific topics.

• Listening strategies give students tools for personal and academic success.

• Note-taking and outlining practice prepare students for university and college-level listening.

• Speaking activities such as role plays, presentations, and debates reinforce the use of authentic English.

All these features address the new emphasis on listening and speaking skills in current standardized tests.

For high-intermediate to advanced students, see Real Talk 2.

Chapter 1: What’s in a Name?

Part One: In Person The meaning of your name

Part Two: On the Phone Changing your name legally

Part Three: On the Air Formal and informal ways of addressing people

Part Four: In Class Trends in married women’s last names

Chapter 2: Let’s Get Away!

Part One: In Person Travel pet peeves

Part Two: On the Phone Airline reservations

Part Three: On the Air Travel advisories

Part Four: In Class Fear of flying

Chapter 3: Looking for Love

Part One: In Person Marrying someone different

Part Two: On the Phone Calling a dating service

Part Three: On the Air Staying single by choice

Part Four: In Class Love and the human brain

Chapter 4: Music to My Ears

Part One: In Person Your favorite music

Part Two: On the Phone Buying concert tickets

Part Three: On the Air Downloading music from the Internet

Part Four: In Class Rap music

Chapter 5: Getting the Job Done

Part One: In Person Your worst job

Part Two: On the Phone Job interview

Part Three: On the Air Workplace etiquette

Part Four: In Class Why Americans work so much

Chapter 6: To Your Health!

Part One: In Person Cat allergy

Part Two: On the Phone Calling a pharmacy

Part Three: On the Air Obesity: A global epidemic

Part Four: In Class Two popular diets

Chapter 7: Shop ’Til You Drop

Part One: In Person Making an exchange

Part Two: On the Phone Renting a car

Part Three: On the Air Too many choices

Part Four: In Class Product placement

Chapter 8: Do the Right Thing

Part One: In Person Cheating in college

Part Two: On the Phone Calling “Lost and Found”

Part Three: On the Air Lying

Part Four: In Class Ethical dilemmas

Appendix 1 Master Vocabulary List

Appendix 2 Common Abbreviations and Symbols Used in Note-Taking

Appendix 3 Sample Outlines for In-Class Lectures

Audioscript