On Target 1, Second Edition
(Scott Foresman English series, Intermediate level)

James E. Purpura and Diane Pinkley

The new edition of On Target 1 (part of the Scott Foresman English series) is a balanced, four-skills program for secondary and young adult students that combines a strong treatment of reading and writing with an explicit presentation of learning strategies for academic success.

With its strong presentation of learning strategies, serious treatment of reading and writing, and emphasis on critical thinking skills, On Target is a challenging and motivating course.

Click the "About the Series" button on the left for more information on the Scott Foresman English series (On Your Mark 1 and 2, In Contact 1 and 2, On Target 1 and 2, and In Charge 1 and 2).

Key features of On Target 1:

  • A fully integrated four-skills syllabus promotes well-rounded learning and academic preparation.
  • Thematic units teach English through a variety of high-interest content.
  • A student-centered approach encourages students to share their personal experiences, develop critical thinking skills, and use learning strategies.
  • Prelistening, prereading, and prewriting activities give students the focus and support they need to succeed with these language skills.
  • Clear grammar presentations provide a balance of controlled and communicative practice.

New features include:

  • Explicit learning strategies promote academic success.
  • Extensive interactive grammar and speaking activities provide communicative practice and tap students' personal knowledge and experience.
  • Review material every three units recycles and reinforces key grammar and vocabulary.
  • Achievement tests allow students to assess their progress after each unit.
  • New spiral-bound Teacher's Editions interleave four-color student book pages with black-and-white teacher's notes, making the abundant teaching ideas, optional expansion activities, tapescripts, and answer keys easy to use.

On Target 1 consists of the following components:

Student Book

  • Twelve thematic units
  • Summary of Skills chart highlighting and summarizing the important language skills, strategies, and teaching points in each unit
  • Review material following Units 3, 6, 9, and 12
  • Starting Out section provides a brief introduction to the course
  • Unit-by-unit vocabulary list

Workbook with Its Own Audio Track

  • Providing further practice and reinforcement of vocabulary and grammar
  • Additional interactive speaking activities and listening tasks
  • Self-test page at the end of each unit allows students to assess their own progress

Teacher's Edition

  • Full-size, full-color reproductions of the Student Book pages
  • Complete teaching suggestions for the Student Book
  • References to corresponding Workbook practice exercises
  • Answers to all Student Book exercises are highlighted in boxes on the corresponding Teacher's Edition pages
  • Listening scripts to all Student Book and Workbook exercises
  • Suggestions for evaluating language and communication skills
  • Placement, Mid-Book, and End-of-Book Tests
  • Scope and Sequence chart

Audio Program

  • Available on audiocassettes and audio CDs
  • Conversation models
  • Materials for the Warm Up, Building Vocabulary, Listen, and Pronunciation sections

Achievement Tests (New!)

  • Tests for all 12 units and an answer key

About the Authors

James E. Purpura is Assistant Professor of Linguistics and Education in the TESOL and Applied Linguistics programs at Teachers College, Columbia University, in New York City. He holds a Ph.D. in TESL/Applied Linguistics from the University of California at Los Angeles.

Dr. Purpura worked at the Institute of North American Studies, Barcelona, Spain, from 1982 to 1990, first as an instructor, then as Director of Courses. In addition, he has taught in France, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. He has also worked as a curriculum specialist in Iran, Saudi Arabia, and San Diego, California, and was involved in curriculum development at Kuwait University. His scholarly publications appear in Language Learning, Language Testing, and Issues in Applied Linguistics.

Diane Pinkley is the Director of the TC TESOL Certificate Program at Teachers College, Columbia University, in New York City. She holds a B.A. from Avila College, Kansas City, Missouri, and an M.A. in English language and literature from the University of Michigan. She is currently pursuing studies leading to an Ed.D. in TESOL at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Ms. Pinkley worked as Curriculum Coordinator at the Michigan Language Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as well as instructor and Director of Courses at the Institute of North American Studies in Barcelona, Spain. She has taught American and British literature and American culture, and all levels of EFL/ESL.