The “Speak Your Mind” method is a complete teaching program going from beginner to a very advanced level of English. Consisting of 17 units, directly connected to the “Common European Framework (CEF).
The division into units enables new students to join the course, after a thorough level test placing them at their real level, at any time during the academic year.
Speed
Learning a language often becomes a long and arduous process, and visible results are not always achieved. However, our method is designed to be fast and effective.
The time required to assimilate, learn and master a language varies from person to person. In most cases our method significantly reduces this time. The experience of schools using the Speak Your Mind Method shows that to complete a unit requires an average of 35 hours.
For example, studying Units 1 and 2 of our method, you can reach “Level A1” of the CEF, in 60 hours or “Level A2” in about 100 teaching hours instead of the 180-200 hours with a traditional teaching method. Achieving a level equivalent to “FCE” of Cambridge University, requires an average of 320 hours from beginner level, unlike the usual 500-600 hours indicated by the European Council.
A: Basic User
A1 Breakthrough or beginner
English Student Book – UNITS 1-2
Revised edition: 2011 – Pages: 255
Speak Your Mind Units 1-2 is an ideal course, both for complete beginners and for people who have studied some English before but when they need to use it they don’t know where to start. SpeakYourMind lessons give students a unique combination of speaking -practice and structured learning, right from the first lesson. Speaking and listening are the most important parts of your lessons but reading and writing are integrated into the programme with a variety of simple, regular activities and exercises. With the basic grammar you need for simple situations and around 800 words, Units 1-2 takes learners to A1 level (see map onThe Levels)
A2 Waystage or elementary
English Student Book – UNITS 3-4
Revised edition: 2010 – Pages: 246
Speak Your Mind Units 3-4 takes learners up to A2 level. With an active vocabulary of nearly 1,500 words and a practical command of the basic grammar, at this level you can use your English in many common situations for travel. You can now have simple social conversations and can do limited tasks at work.
B: Independent User
B1 Threshold or intermediate
English Student Book – UNITS 5-6
Published: 2010 – Pages: 381
With around 700 new words, Speak Your Mind Units 5-6 gives learners the extra language and the extra confidence they need to move ahead from ‘elementary’. New grammar is introduced regularly and gradually to become a real ‘help’ when you speak (not just an extra problem!). New language covers a wide range of topics, making every lesson relevant and interesting.
English Student Book – UNITS 7-8
Published: 2011 – Pages: 391
Students who complete Units 7-8 have reached an important stage in their studies (the equivalent of B1). At this stage students have an active command of approaching 3,000 of the most useful and frequent words in English. This level can be a good objective for people who need to use English for general purposes in everyday situations. This level is also a solid base for those who want to continue their English studies for more specific uses.
English Student Book – UNITS 9-10
Revised edition: 2010 – Pages: 337
Units 9-10 is the fifth part in the complete SyM programme. Speak Your Mind is a real alternative to traditional intermediate courses, providing plenty of focussed practice in lessons and ensuring that lesson after lesson you keep moving in the right direction – forwards.
Unit 9-10 builds up and broadens vocabulary systematically, presenting new language in a range of relevant and practical contexts to ensure that lessons are always interesting. A wide range of exercises and reading passages make the course complete.
B2 Vantage or upper intermediate
English Student Book – UNITS 11-12
Published: 2008 – Pages: 320
Students who have completed Units 11-12 have an active vocabulary of around 4,500 words and have reached the equivalent of CEF level B2. Clear and relevant presentation of new words and grammar, together with the rich blend of styles and topics make this an effective and enjoyable course for learners who already have a good control of the basic structures of English and who need to use English in a wider range of social and professional contexts or who are preparing for FCE.
English Student Book – UNITS 13-14
Published: 2009 – Pages: 354
The high intermediate programme develops vocabulary along two parallel lines – the formal language of business, debate and study, and the ‘everyday’ language, rich in idiomatic expressions and phrases, that anyone who lives or works in a ‘real English’ situation really needs. A varied range of reading passages, discussion topics and original exercises, make sure your lessons are interesting as well as productive.
C: Proficient User
C1 Effective Operational Proficiency or advanced
C2 Mastery or proficiency
English Student Book – ADVANCED – PLUS 5
Published: 2002 – Pages: 465
Speak Your Mind’s ever-popular advanced programme adds a further 1,200 words and phrases. An original variety of lesson activities makes it a high-level course with a difference. An updated version of this book is already on the drawing board.
