新概念英语的另类打开方式
by Jade
很多人都很诧异我们仍然用新概念作为教材，它甚至是跟我们学生一样老了，它的第一版是1997年10月面世的。我以前也读新概念英语，只是当时用的磁带听课文录音的，而且我的录音带还健在。它是经典中的经典，非常值得80、90、00后去读懂它里面的精华。
我们在教学过程中不仅仅是教教单词、读读课文，就可以了。如果是这样，相信一些大学生不必从广州、珠海特地跑过来上课。我们把这本书作为素材来讨论，以此提高词汇、口语表达、逻辑思维，那以后学生就可以轻松应对考试中的听力、阅读、口语和写作各环节。下面就以新概念三第一课A Puma at Large 作为例子，来讲解一下我们是怎样学习的。
一、词汇，因为在雅思和托福考试中，要求学生掌握比较大的词汇量。譬如extravagant/ withdraw/ gesticulate这些都是新概念三的词汇，也是雅思阅读中出现的高频词。除了掌握单词表里面的生词，还要求学生注意一词多词性、一词多义和衍生词的现象，就像spot在单词表中标记为动词，是看出、发现的意思；这是不够的，在预习的过程中，学生应该可以查到spot还可以作名词，有斑点、地点、现场等的意思。还有衍生词，oblige 使...感到必须，名词obligation 义务是oblige衍生过来的。不仅如此，除了知道单词读音、拼写、意思、衍生词以外，还要知道单词的用法，学以致用，convince使...信服，它的用法是convince sb of sth 或者 convince sb that从句。（注意convince本身已经有人相信的意思，其句中不需要加beileve，这是学生常犯的错误。)
二、句子理解。通常句子语法结构的分析，学生可以掌握代词、被动语态、同位语从句、宾语从句、定语从句等雅思阅读中常出现的复杂句结构，反过来这些可以运用于写作的句型当中。这些语法知识点都是在第一课出现过的。
三、话题讨论，这是我们课堂的一个重要部分，老师会问一些基于课文相关的开放性问题，让学生作答。这些问题会因人而异，有简单问题也有一些需要辩证思维的复杂问题，可能是雅思口语题目或者是写作题目的讨论。通过如此的课堂问题，学生就可以了解雅思考试的套路。因为第一课是关于一只逃逸在英国乡村的美洲狮，我们会讨论关于宠物、野生动物、动物园相关问题的讨论。
雅思口语Part 1 关于动物的题目
1. Do you like animals?
2. What is your favorite animal?
3. What kinds of animals as a pet do the people have in your country?
4. Do you think cities are suitable places for keeping a pet?
5. What do you think are the benefits of a child having a pet?
雅思口语 Part 2:
1. Describe an interesting animal
You should say:
- what animal it was
- where you saw it
- what happened when you saw it
and explain why you thought it was interesting.
2. Describe an animal from your country.
You should say：
-what the animal is and what it looks like
-where it lives
-and explain how people in your country feel about this animal.
雅思口语Part 3
（1）关于动物园
1. Why do you think so many cities have zoos?
2. In your opinion, what features should a good zoo have?
3. Do you think zoos might disappear in the future?
4. What future developments do you think we will see concerning zoos?
（2）关于野生动物的保护The Protection of Wild Animals
1. Why do you think wild animals should be protected?
2. In what ways does human activity result in the extinction (or near extinction) of some animal species?
3. At present, many animals are already facing extinction. How do you think average citizens could protect wild animals?
4. Why do you think films or books for children so often include animals?
与动物有关的雅思写作题目
1. Wild animals have no place in the 21st century, and the protection is a waste of resource. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
2. A zoo has no useful purpose. Do you agree or disagree?
3. Many people believe that zoos should be closed because it is cruel to keep animals locked up. Moreover, zoos do not have a positive role to play in society. Do you agree or disagree-
4. Some people think killing animals for food is cruel and unnecessary and some people think it is essential for daily diet. What do you think about the both issues-
5. Some people think that animals should be treated as friends. Yet others only consider animals as sources of food and clothing. What is your opinion?
6. Some people think it is necessary to use animals for testing medicines intended for human use. Others, however, think it is cruel to do that. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
在这些话题讨论之后，我们会积累相关的词汇，而且会了解一些背景知识，也学会辩证思维，怎样去论证自己的观点。你还会嫌弃它是一本旧教程吗？还会说它没有营养吗？
备注：这里写得比较简单，其实我们的课堂还有其他环节：
Questions & Answers 课文内容的问答；
Retell the story 用自己的话复述课文；
Summary 写下对文章的概括；
Topic discussion 话题讨论，大多是雅思口语和写作的相关问题;
Point Writing 记下上一个环节--话题讨论中的主要论点。