Textbook advice

[canman]

Dimwit, James, or any other teachers out there, I need your advice. I had my first class at a high school today, and the writing class that I'm teaching has the worst textbook in the world. First off it is all in Japanese, and it does not look useful at all. I want to use another book, and was told that I can, but I can't make the students buy it as they must keep the original since it was chosen by the wise old English teacher. So my question, can you recommend a good but very basic writing textbook for second year high school students. Thanks.

[canman]

Also of all the classes to give me, writing! I much prefer communication, or TOEIC, or even grammar for that matter. But being the new guy, I guess I got stuck with the shitty end of the stick.

[kusai Jijii]

Also of all the classes to give me, writing! I much prefer communication, or TOEIC, or even grammar for that matter.

Canman,
Shit is shit is shit.
Stress less.
Zen out.
Go to class.
Open book.
Do activity.
Turn the page.
Wait for bell.
Clock off.
Take money.
Go home.
Repeat.

[james]

heya,

didn't mean to be ignoring your question. got sidetracked with this "work" thing i do. my teaching focus is mostly elementary school aged children though i also teach high school and some adults, however i mostly do oral communication, reading etc and not much in the way of writing as a subject per se.

i teach one day a week in a high school but again it's for their oc class. i think i'd go bonkers in your position.

as for textbooks.. i'm not sure.. have you checked stuff by oxford or cambridge university press?

[james]

also looking for a text but my aim is different. btw, you may want to check out the ELT catalogue. i'm currently looking at the 2005 edition from macmillan languagehouse. they seem to have several texts listed for writing. i'd be more than willing to help you out by scanning the relevant pages from the catalogue if you're curious.

i have a couple of intermediate groups that i've been teaching for awhile. one group is a 3rd yr jhs / 1st yr hs group and another group that is 2nd / 3rd yr hs. they've been coming for awhile so their comprehension / listening and their pronunciation is very good.

however i've hit a wall of sorts. i need a decent text with lots of ideas that engages them and gets them speaking. i'm looking at the elt catalogue but without seeing the actual text it's rather difficult to decide on one. i'm open to suggestions. something with colloquial speech. we've done more than enough grammar.