Books by Toni Aberson

This collection of 42 short English lessons focuses on specific American idioms and common phrases. The thematic chapters are organized into seven categories: Let''s Get Started, Fun with Food, Body Language, Animal Wisdom, Colorful Language, How''s the Weather, and Where Are You. Each concise self-contained chapter explores a single American idiom with clear definitions, sample sentences, short readings, comprehension checks, vocabulary lists, writing activities, and conversation questions. The comfortable pace, unit quizzes (with answer keys) and an index of American idioms and expressions also makes this book comfortable for both English/ESL classroom use and self-study. Written for community college, high school, and adult English language learners, this ESL textbook improves the vocabulary and cultural literacy of intermediate English students. Understanding and using these American idioms will help immigrants sound more like their American neighbors. Idiom by idiom, readers will find speaking English less difficult and more fun - even "a breeze."

Compelling Conversations: Questions and Quotations for Advanced Vietnamese English Language Learners is based on our original and highly successful English as a SecondLanguage (ESL) textbook, Compelling Conversations. The difference is this unique textbook was created for Vietnamese English Language Learners. Like the original, this English as a Foreign Language (EFL) textbook includes thematic chapters to create quality conversations and uses conversation starters, interview questions, classic quotations, paraphrasing exercises, and traditional proverbs to create hours of English conversation and class discussions. This culturally sensitive text encourages students to speak about their experiences, their families, and their lives in Vietnam. With dozens of practical speaking exercises, Compelling Conversations helps advanced Vietnamese English Language Learners develop greater fluency, develop and express their opinions, give reasons to support their opinions, build critical thinking skills, prepare for standardized tests with speaking sections (TOEFL, IELTS), and create authentic conversations. Fluency also requires practice. Compelling Conversations encourages students to learn by doing and continually practice speaking English. As a result, students gain greater confidence, fluency, and vocabulary. They also create better conversations in English - in and beyond their English classes. Originally designed for community college students (ages 18-87!), the textbook has been adopted by American adult schools, international high schools, English language schools and intensive English language programs, university ESL programs, and conversation clubs. Recommended by English Teaching Professional magazine, The original, Compelling Conversations - Questions & Quotations on Timeless Topics is used by English Language Learners in over 40 countries. Compelling Conversations: Questions and Quotations for Advanced Vietnamese English Language Learners includes:¿ 15 thematic chapters ¿ over 75 communicative activities¿ Partner, group, and class discussion activities to develop fluency ¿ 15 targeted vocabulary lists to expand working vocabulary in social, professional, and academic contexts ¿ 15 Paraphrasing exercises ¿ Over 125 global proverbs to build intercultural understanding¿ 15 question writing exercises¿ 150 classic quotations to display eloquent language and develop critical thinking skills¿ 27 black-and-white photographs¿ Versatile material than can be adapted to multi-level listening and speaking classes¿ Critical thinking activities that develop vital academic skills for mainstream college courses¿ Discussion activities to build fluency and classroom speaking skills¿ 9 out-of-classroom and online assignments for homework and/or self-study¿ An alphabetized academic word list¿ Bibliography¿ 108 pagesThis communicative, oral skills EFL/ESL textbook has been primarily designed for international high schools, community college/university English language programs, and adult education programs. The book combines focused communicative activities and the natural language approach. We are Chimayo Press, an independent educational publishing company based in Los Angeles since 2005. We're committed to publishing niche books that create compelling conversations, deepen relationships, and celebrate the human spirit. Compelling Conversations - Questions & Quotations for Advanced Vietnamese English Language Learners is the second title in our Compelling Conversations series.