This new four-level, strategies-based course is designed to improve listening skills through the use of activities and topics that are meaningful to students' lives. Wide range of realistic listening types includes social conversations, transational dialogues, broadcasts, and announcements. Self-study audio CD with accompanying exercises provides additional homework/language lab practice. Regular progress tests familiarize students with common standardized test formats. Easy-to-teach unit format and a clearly written teacher's guide make lesson preparation quick and simple. "Language Focus" sections raise students' awareness of key grammatical and functional patterns featured in the main listening passages. "Pronunciation" and "Conversation Strategy" sections in every unit help students understand the most important features of spoken English.