MIDTESOL Matters
Spring 2004
A Publication of Mid-America Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages

Donna Obenda, Series Editor, (2004). Academic Word Power (Books1-4), Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Reviewed by Robyn L. Brinks

Academic Word Power is a four-level vocabulary series for ESL students who plan to study beyond secondary and adult education. The series begins at the intermediate level and moves through high-intermediate, advanced, and high-advanced. Selected from the Academic Word List (AWL) developed by Averil Coxhead in 1998, the vocabulary prepares students for success in academic reading and writing at the college level. The 570 words of the AWL was thoughtfully researched and compiled from over 3.5 million words found in college texts. By adding these words to a basic vocabulary, students should be able to comprehend approximately 90% of the vocabulary found in academic texts.

Each volume has seven units with 20 words each, thus covering almost the entire AWL. Each of the units is subdivided into four lessons and includes word families, reading, comprehension, word study, and communication. Unit reviews use all 20 words from the unit and contain a ‘fun’ activity such as a crossword puzzle or word association.

The structure of the text lends itself well to extension activities and writing practice. The communicative activities and readings certainly make it more interactive than some vocabulary texts. Many students seem to prefer a simple approach to vocabulary: words, definitions, exercises. Therefore, a student might first struggle because this series doesn’t contain lists of definitions. Rather, the series encourages the students to determine meanings from context. Since there is a wealth of exercises, the student who does prefer rote learning should still be happy. The book also encourages the use of activities such as flashcards and matching/multiple choice exercises.

The readings are rather short and not related within the units but are high-interest and could spark discussion further encouraging use of the vocabulary. Each unit contains a "Using Words in Communication" activity that has students role-play and/or discuss in a partner or small-group situation. Additionally, these communicative activities could be used to expand writing skills.

The series is accompanied by a website with supplements for both the instructor and student. Students will be attracted to the additional quizzes, practice, and readings. Instructors will be impressed by the tests and answer keys that could save them time.

The biggest handicap this book might face is the title. Although the vocabulary contained in the book is academic in nature, this book is suitable for advanced levels in adult education settings. For example, some words in Book 1 are administration, authority, indicate, previous, and consistent. The level and organization of the first book especially could lend itself well in all settings and hopefully the title won’t make programs such as mine shy away from checking out this series.

Robyn Brinks is lead teacher for the evening program at Parkway AEL in St. Louis and currently teaches the advanced ESL class. She may be contacted at robynb@swbell.net.