Contemporary Topics 2: Academic Listening and Note-Taking Skills

Why is architect Frank Gehry's work notable? What principles should journalists be following today? What are the keys to owning a successful restaurant?

You’ll find the answers to these and other questions in Contemporary Topics 2, by Ellen Kisslinger (Series Editor: Michael Rost), which features college lectures from several academic disciplines, including architecture, media studies, and culinary arts. Contemporary Topics 2 prepares students for the challenge of college lectures with practice in a wide range of listening, speaking and note-taking skills and strategies. The lectures (available on CD and DVD) were filmed in realistic academic setting before line student audiences.

Audio CDs are available. Click on the link at the left side of tis page.

DVD Features

• Realistic college lectures from a range of academic disciplines (also on audio CDs)
• Student discussions of the lectures (also on audio CDs)
• Instructors’ Presentation Points
• Coaching Tips that guide students as they take notes
• Subtitles for lectures and student discussions

Course Features

• Corpus-based vocabulary drawn from the Academic Word List
• Practical listening and note-taking strategies
• Note-review practice that allows students to analyze their note-taking skills and consolidate their understanding of the lecture
• Academic research and speaking tasks: presentation, discussions, and role plays
• A Teacher’s Pack for busy instructors with:
  • Suggested bonus activities
  • Teaching notes
  • Answer keys
  • Audioscripts
  • Simulated TOFELR Listening Test for each unit

See also:

Contemporary Topics Introductory (High Beginner)

Contemporary Topics 1 (Intermediate)

Contemporary Topics 3 (Advanced)