English Language Textbooks Dealing with Global Issue

Publishers are invited to send in sample copies of new books relating to global issues.
Readers interested in writing book reviews should contact the editor.

Silent Spring

by Rachel Carson, abridged and annotated by Y. Nakamura (1994)

Eihosha Ltd., 1-1-8 Mizaki-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-91

This 75-page Japanese university-level EFL reading textbook introduces students to a key book in the history of the ecology movement - Rachel Carson's 1962 environmental classic"Silent Spring". This EFL version consists of seven chapters from Carson's original book which explain in detail how modern man is poisoning himself and the planet through his use of insecticides, pesticides and toxic chemicals such as DDT. The book contains 10 pages of Japanese vocabulary notes; a cassette tape for listening practice is available separately.

Words to Remember

Subtitles

by Eibei Bunka Gakkai/ Eigo Kyoiku Kenkyu Buka (1994)

Kirihara Shoten 2-44-5 Koenji-minami, Suginami-ku, Tokyo 166 Tel: 03-3314-8181

This illustrated 70-page upper-level EFL reader presents 14 great speeches and writings by 14 important world figures. Among these are John F. Kennedy's inaugural address, Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, Magic Johnson on AIDS, Charlie Chaplin's "Great Dictator" speech plus stirring talks and writings by Mother Teresa, Aung San Suu Kyi, Nelson Mandela, Anne Frank and Helen Keller. Each chapter includes a profile of the speaker, Japanese notes and comprehension questions. A cassette is available separately.

English and International Awareness

by W. L. Dutton & Akira Shigeno (1993)

Nan'un-Do Press, 361 Yamabuki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162

This 130-page reading text is designed for Japanese college students and adults. It attempts not only to teach English but also to stimulate discussion of major human issues from an international viewpoint. The book's 20 chapters include The Quality of Life, Women & War, Our Fragile Planet, Smoking, Working Mothers, Earthquakes, Democracy and Our Shrinking Forests. Each chapter contains a 2-page reading text, comprehension questions, a dialogue, dictations and translation exercises. A Teachers Manual and cassette are also available.

Citizens of the World

by Joan McConnell (1995)

Kinseido Ltd., 3-21 Jimbocho,Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101

This 125-page illustrated university-level Japanese EFL text is a unique set of readings about the author's personal views on education, society and world citizenship. Starting from the famous quote by Socrates "I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world", the book's 9 chapters cover the aims, history and current crises in education, emphasizing the author's belief that "education must open the eyes of young people to the crucial problems that confront humanity". The book contains Japanese vocabulary notes & a separate cassette.

ITN World News

by lrike Meinhof & Marc Bergman (1993)

Oxford University Press, 2-4-8 Kanamecho, Toshima-ku, Tokyo

This task-based video and textbook set for upper-intermediate/advanced learners aims to develop students' ability to understand international news broadcasts in English. The set consists of a 60-minute video of TV news stories and an 80-page student activity book filled with video viewing tasks, a transcript of the news stories and exercise answers. The 8 units deal with 21 news stories grouped by topic area: International Crises (the Gulf War), Diplomatic Visits (Mandela), Demonstrations (Tiananmen Square), Drugs (cocaine), Natural Disasters (earthquakes, storms), Environmental Issues (oil slicks, acid rain). The text aims to improve vocabulary, listening comprehension, thinking skills and media awareness.

Polestar Writing Course

by K. Minimide, T. Hashiuchi et al (1994)

Suken Shuppan, 12-11 Kudan-kita 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102

This Ministry-approved 175-page Japanese high school English textbook aims to improve students' vocabulary, grammar and writing skills through readings and exercises about daily life and international topics. Its 27 chapters include themes such as health, international student ID cards, foreign language learning, critical newspaper reading, recycling, gender roles, refugees in Japan, rainforests and smoking. Each 4-page lesson contains a dialog, expressions and exercises. The appendix includes illustrated topic-based vocabulary charts.

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