“Time Zones, Third Edition” by National Geographic Learning is a comprehensive educational resource designed for secondary/teenage students. It spans five levels, from true beginner to pre-intermediate, and is focused on American English. This edition is structured to accommodate up to four teaching hours per week.

Key Features:

Engaging Content: The course uses exceptional photography, updated videos, and compelling stories of global citizens to inspire students to explore the world using English.

Authors: Nicholas Beare, Ian Purdon, Jennifer Wilkin, and David Bohlke, each bringing extensive experience in English Language Teaching and materials development.

Student and Teacher Resources:

• For students: Student’s Book with Spark platform, Workbook, Combo Split, and more.
• For teachers: Teacher’s Book, Spark Platform, ExamView Assessment Suite, and additional resources.

Spark Platform: This integrated platform enhances learning and teaching experiences by offering tools for course management, class performance tracking, and a variety of teaching resources.

New Edition Enhancements:

• Increased number of videos and activities for grammar and vocabulary.
• Clear unit goals and review activities for better learner independence.
• Diverse audio recordings with international accents.
• Updated technology resources.
• Expanded Starter Combo level for true beginners.

Series Features:

• Themes: Explore the World, People and Places, The Natural World, History and Culture, Science and Technology.
• Skills Development: Focus on global awareness, critical thinking, visual literacy, communication, and collaboration.
• Engagement and Support: Scaffolding lessons, more practice opportunities, teacher support.

Overall Approach: The series aims to bring the world into the classroom and vice versa, leveraging National Geographic and TED resources to create an inspiring, real, and relevant learning environment.

“Time Zones, Third Edition” is thus a well-rounded educational tool that not only teaches English but also broadens students’ global perspective and critical thinking skills.

Who is suitable for ‘Time Zones Third Edition’?

“Time Zones, Third Edition” is particularly suitable for the following groups:

Secondary School Teenagers: The course is specifically designed for secondary school students, typically in their teenage years. This age group benefits from the engaging and age-appropriate content that combines language learning with global awareness and cultural exploration.

English Language Learners: Students who are learning English as a foreign or second language, ranging from true beginners to pre-intermediate levels, will find the material accessible and challenging.
Students Interested in Global Issues: The course’s use of National Geographic and TED resources makes it ideal for students who are curious about the world, including topics like culture, history, science, and technology.

Learners Seeking Comprehensive Skill Development: Besides language proficiency, the course emphasizes critical thinking, visual literacy, communication, and collaboration skills, making it suitable for learners who seek a holistic educational experience.

Educators and Institutions: Teachers and educational institutions looking for a well-structured, engaging curriculum that includes a variety of teaching and assessment tools will find this series beneficial.

Programs with Limited Teaching Hours: The course is designed to be effective with up to four teaching hours per week, making it a good fit for programs with limited classroom time.

Students Preferring Blended Learning Environments: With its integration of the Spark platform, the course is well-suited for learners who thrive in environments that blend traditional classroom learning with digital resources.

In summary, “Time Zones, Third Edition” caters to a diverse range of learners, particularly teenagers in secondary education, who are at the beginner to pre-intermediate level of English language proficiency and have an interest in global themes and multimedia learning resources.

The benefits of ‘Time Zones Third Edition’

“Time Zones, Third Edition” offers several benefits to both learners and educators in the context of English language learning:

Engaging and Relevant Content: The use of National Geographic and TED resources ensures that the content is not only engaging but also relevant and informative. This approach helps to spark students’ curiosity about the world, making learning more interesting and meaningful.

Comprehensive Language Development: The course covers a wide range of language skills, from grammar and vocabulary to speaking, listening, reading, and writing. This comprehensive approach ensures a well-rounded development of language proficiency.

Cultural and Global Awareness: Through its diverse and rich content, students gain insights into different cultures, global issues, and perspectives, fostering a sense of global awareness and understanding.

Skill-Building Beyond Language: Apart from language skills, the course emphasizes critical thinking, visual literacy, and collaboration. These are key 21st-century skills that are essential for students’ overall academic and personal development.

Scaffolded Learning: The course provides scaffolded lessons that gradually build upon students’ knowledge and skills, making it easier for learners of all levels to understand and retain new concepts.

Multimedia Learning Experience: With its blend of text, photography, videos, and audio, “Time Zones” caters to different learning styles and keeps students engaged through various forms of media.

Flexibility in Teaching: The course offers flexibility for teachers with its variety of resources, including the Spark platform, which allows for a blended approach to teaching and learning. Teachers can adapt the materials to suit different classroom environments and teaching styles.

Assessment and Tracking: The integration of assessment tools, including the ExamView Assessment Suite and the course gradebook on the Spark platform, allows teachers to track and evaluate student progress effectively.

Suitable for Diverse Learning Environments: Whether it’s for classroom use, remote learning, or a hybrid model, “Time Zones” is adaptable to various learning environments, which is particularly beneficial in the changing landscape of education.

Support for Independent Learning: The course encourages learner independence through clear unit goals, review activities, and additional practice opportunities in the Workbook and Online Practice.

In summary, “Time Zones, Third Edition” is a versatile and comprehensive English language learning resource that not only enhances language skills but also promotes critical thinking, cultural awareness, and engagement with global issues, making it an excellent tool for the holistic development of young learners.

Effective teaching and learning strategies for ‘Time Zones Third Edition’

Effectively teaching and learning with “Time Zones, Third Edition” involves leveraging its rich resources and features. Here are some strategies for teachers and students to make the most of this comprehensive English language learning tool:

For Teachers

Integrate Multimedia Resources: Utilize the diverse array of multimedia resources, such as videos, audio recordings, and photography from National Geographic and TED. These can be used to stimulate discussion, provide context for language lessons, and enhance comprehension.

Encourage Global Connections: Draw connections between the content and students’ lives. Encourage students to relate the global themes and stories in the course to their own experiences and cultures.

Implement Interactive Activities: Use the interactive activities in the course to foster communication, collaboration, and engagement among students. Group activities and discussions can be particularly effective.

Leverage the Spark Platform: Utilize the Spark platform for lesson planning, tracking student progress, and accessing additional resources. This platform can streamline the teaching process and offer insights into student performance.

Focus on Skill Development: In addition to language skills, emphasize the development of critical thinking, visual literacy, and global awareness. This can be done through discussions, projects, and research assignments related to the content.

Customize Lessons: Tailor the lessons to meet the specific needs and interests of your class. Adjust the pace and depth of coverage based on student proficiency and response.

Use Scaffolded Learning: Take advantage of the scaffolded structure of the lessons. Begin with simpler concepts and gradually move to more complex language and thematic content, ensuring that students build on their existing knowledge.

Incorporate Self-Assessment: Encourage students to use the review activities and unit goals for self-assessment. This fosters independent learning and helps students take ownership of their language development.

For Students

Engage Actively with Multimedia: Actively watch and listen to the multimedia content, taking notes and reflecting on how each piece relates to the unit themes and language goals.

Participate in Discussions: Actively participate in class discussions and group activities. Sharing ideas and opinions in English helps in practicing language skills in real-life contexts.

Utilize Online Resources: Make full use of the online practice and workbook activities for additional practice outside the classroom. This reinforces what is learned in class and provides extra practice where needed.

Practice Regularly: Consistency is key in language learning. Regular practice, especially in speaking and listening, helps in better assimilation of the language.

Self-Assessment and Goal Setting: Regularly assess your own progress using the tools provided and set personal goals for improvement in specific areas.

Cultural Exploration: Take the opportunity to explore and research the cultural and global themes presented in the course. This deepens understanding and creates a more enriching learning experience.

Seek Feedback: Regularly seek feedback from teachers and peers to understand areas of strength and improvement.

Using these strategies, both teachers and students can fully exploit the educational potential of “Time Zones, Third Edition,” making the language learning journey both effective and engaging.