Michael Harris

World Class is a four-stage course for secondary students of English. Each stage provides 90-100 classroom lessons. Once they have completed World Class 4 (intermediate level), students should be ready to move on to a First Certificate course. The course combines facts about the world with stories of fantasy and fiction, practical activities and everyday topics. This cross-curricular approach builds on students' natural curiosity. Because the modules contain the kind of material which students enjoy in their own language, they can relate to what they are learning. World Class student's books are divided into seven theme-based modules. Each module includes authentic reading material and ends with a revision lesson. Student's books also include an illustrated mini-dictionary which contains definitions and pictures of important new words. This feature encourages learner independence, expands vocabulary and improves dictionary skills. Teacher's books include detailed step-by-step lesson plans and suggestions for extra activities, as well as an integrated system of continuous assessment.Class cassettes contain all the listening texts and pronunciation exercises featured in the student's books. For extra practice, the activity books provide a variety of additional exercise material and learner training activities. Students can use the activity book cassettes in class or for extra listening practice at home. World Class 1 is intended for students studying English at the beginning of secondary level. It combines imaginative topics, games and activities with a systematic introduction to all the basic language areas. The themes are relevant and provide an interesting context for "Language Focus" and practice activities. World Class 1 enables students to become more independent in their learning; it bridges the gap from primary to secondary English.

An elegant thoughtful book beautifully expresses the importance and experience of liberation from the battery hen life of constant connection and crowds Daily Mail A compelling study of the subtle ways in which modern life and technologies have transformed our behaviour and sense of self Times Literary Supplement In a world of social media and smartphones true solitude has become increasingly hard to find In this timely and important book award winning writer Michael Harris reveals why our hyper connected society makes time alone more crucial than ever He delves into the latest neuroscience to examine the way innovations like Google Maps and Facebook are eroding our ability to be by ourselves He tells the stories of the remarkable people from pioneering computer scientists to great nineteenth century novelists who managed to find solitude in the most unexpected of places And he explores how solitude can bring clarity and creativity to each of our inner lives Urgent eloquent and beautifully argued Solitude might just change the way you think about being alone Speaks to a long overdue conversation we still haven t properly had in our society Vice A timely elegant provocation to daydream and wander Nathan Filer author of The Shock of the