Introduction
Texts You will develop your language skills through the study of various topics.You will explore a wide range of ‘text types’, from brochures to speeches. Part of this course is about learning which forms of language are appropriate in certain contexts. How are news reports different from official reports? How are speeches different from blogs? These kinds of questions are explored in Chapter 6, where a unique text type is introduced and explored in depth in each unit, with examples and activities. The IB has categorised the following texts into ‘personal’, ‘professional’, or ‘mass media’ texts. Personal texts
Professional texts
Mass media texts
blog diary personal letter
blog email essay formal letter proposal questionnaire report survey
advertisement article blog brochure editorial film instructions interview leaflet literature news report pamphlet podcast poster proposal public commentary radio programme review speech travel guide web page
Concepts This coursebook encourages you to explore the following 5 key concepts, which are fundamental to the English B course. Their relevance of these concepts to the coursebook content is highlighted in regular features. • • • • •
Audience: To whom are you speaking? Use appropriate language for this target group. Context: For which setting or situation are you writing or speaking? This too will influence your use of language. Purpose: What is the goal of your communication? Use language that helps you achieve your aims. Meaning: What is the message that you are communicating? Select words and phrases that deliver this message effectively. Variation: How is your use of language different from other people’s use of language? Differences in language use reflect differences in time, place and culture.
© Cambridge University Press 2018
vii