Academic readiness

Q: Skills for Success Second Edition helps students to get ready for academic success. Enhanced skills support provides four extra pages of reading or listening comprehension in every unit, deepening students’ understanding of the unit topic and better preparing them for the unit assignment. A greater variety of activities encourages students to use critical thinking skills, such as making inferences or synthesizing information from different texts.

Video in every unit adds a new dimension to the course, and provides an additional springboard for students to think critically. The documentary-style videos use material from the BBC and CBS, providing authentic, high-interest input related to the unit topic.

In the Listening and Speaking strand, the new note-taking skills section provides focused practice on this essential skill in every unit. And the writing syllabus in Reading and Writing has been extended and improved to help students progress from writing coherent sentences to structuring a full essay. The new online Writing Tutor supports students to write independently.

Vocabulary from the Oxford 3000 and Academic Word List is highlighted to help students focus on the most relevant words they need to learn.

Measurable progress

The Second Edition has an increased focus on measuring student progress. The new progress bar and clearly stated unit objectives motivate students to achieve their language learning goals. Students and teachers can also track their progress online, with new achievement badges that reward students as they complete the online activities.

Blended learning

Q: Skills for Success Second Edition is designed for blended learning. Online content on iQ Online is integrated with the Student Book, with clear signposting to guide students’ learning. The online content is easy to manage, simple to use, and has been researched, developed and tested to fit the needs of English language teachers and learners.

iQ Online features between 15-18 activities for every unit, including video, grammar and vocabulary games, and alternate unit assignments, as well as a range of tools to encourage student communication, including the online Discussion Board and email.

For the teacher iTools Online is an all-in-one classroom presentation tool that allows teachers to project pages from the Student Book, play video and audio, and interact with the page.

Watch the walkthrough video at www.iqonlinepractice.com/promo to find out more about iQ Online.

Language and skills practice

• 15-18 activities matched to the Student Book for every unit
• Activities include video, vocabulary, grammar and skills practice, grammar and vocabulary games, and alternate unit assignments
• Online Discussion Board provides a forum for students to discuss the unit question at the beginning of the unit, and then reflect on their learning at the end of the unit
• Email function allows easy communication between student and teacher
• Students can record themselves for the speaking assignments, submit their recording, and receive feedback online

Writing Tutor

The new online Writing Tutor helps to create autonomous learners, by providing writing models and structured step-by-step support for the unit assignment.
Tools and resources for the student include:

• Peer Review worksheets
• Writing Outlines
• Writing Process worksheets
• Graphic organizers

Students can save, print or submit their work to the teacher for feedback.
Testing and assessment

• Auto-graded online tests for every unit instantly measure student progress and save time on grading
• Tests are automatically hidden from student view and the teacher chooses when to assign them, keeping them secure
• Scores are entered into the online gradebook, providing a quick and easy way to track class progress
• Printable and editable unit tests (A and B versions), placement, midterm and final tests are also available for every level - giving teachers the flexibility to assign tests in the way they like

Tracking progress

Students can view their own reports for the activities and tests they complete, with a new achievements system that rewards students with badges as they progress through the online practice, motivating them to improve their scores.

Teachers can track and monitor student progress too, at either an individual level, class level, or across multiple classes.

Teacher's Handbook
iQ Online includes access to the Q: Skills for Success Second Edition Teacher's Handbook, a single PDF per level which includes teaching notes on teaching critical thinking, note-taking, blended learning, using video in the classroom, vocabulary, and writing.

For each unit:
• Multilevel teaching tips
• Expansion activities
• Background notes on the reading or listening texts plus the art in the unit openers
• Grammar and Vocabulary skill notes
• Unit Assignment grading rubrics

Teacher resources
Other useful resources:

• Answer keys
• Audio scripts and video transcripts
• Communicative Grammar worksheets
• Discussion Board worksheets with teaching notes to help you make the most of the online Discussion Board