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Why Glow Up!
GLOW UP! is a new Cambridge Secondary course which illuminates and improves your students’ learning. he course is based on research and experience on ow tudents learn and what teachers really need n the lassroom. It offers a combination of varied, uthentic nd creative content, enriched with video nd collaborative project work which keeps tudents engaged and motivated.
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A focus on Life skills, Sustainability and Learning situations helps students to become more active learners and prepares them to use English in authentic contexts.
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Sample Unit Level 1
Sample Unit Level 3
Show me what’s special about Glow Up!
© 2026 Cambridge University Press & Assessment
The course is based on research and experience on how students learn and what teachers really need in the classroom. It offers a combination of varied, authentic and creative content, enriched with video and collaborative project work which keeps students engaged and motivated.
Unit Walkthrough
Components
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Accessibility is built into the design and concept of the course ensuring all students can fully engage with the material, while also being able to meet the needs of mixed-ability classrooms.
The LOMLOE is seamlessly integrated into the content, providing comprehensive language coverage and essential practice of Grammar and Vocabulary across the four skills, as well as the necessary abilities for Mediation.
Take me through a unit of Glow Up!
The four fundamental pillars of Glow Up!
A blend of print and digital resources all in one place on the Cambridge One digital platform makes this course easy for both students and teachers to use.
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GLOW UP! combines the use of teaching, learning and assessment methods to plan, measure and improve outcomes.
It empowers students and teachers to understand and unlock the learning process.
Why choose Glow Up!
Scroll down to discover what makes Glow Up! special!
A focus on Life skills and Learning situations
This helps students to become more active learners and prepares them to use English in authentic contexts.
5
This ensures all students can fully engage with the material, while also being able to meet the needs of mixed-ability classrooms.
Accessibility is built into the design and concept of the course
Integrated Learning and Assessment from Cambridge is an approach to best practice teaching, aimed at taking advantage of every moment of learning. It consists of four pillars: • Learning objectives • Evidence of progress • Actionable feedback • Tailored follow-up
Each unit culminates in a Mini Project, which links to a Learning Situation. The Learning Situation gives students the opportunity to use the language and skills that they have gained during the unit in a creative context and encourages them to work together to produce and present a visual outcome.
The treatment of competencies in Glow Up! is based on the Cambridge Life Competencies Framework which clearly defines those found in the curriculum.
A Mediation lesson is included after every two units in Levels 1 and 2, and a Learning to Learn lesson in Levels 3 and 4. These lessons give students an opportunity to explore communication skills and study skills in greater depth, respectively.
Throughout the units, learning is designed to work effectively for both the more- and less-confident students. Ready-made fast finisher activities are included for each unit, and downloadable Grammar and Vocabulary Practice worksheets provide opportunity for further consolidation in class.
Audio scripts, video scripts and Cambridge English Qualifications practice tests are supplied in a standard and accessible format to cater to different learning styles and to ensure that everyone can participate fully in the learning process.
The book is designed with a clean and modern layout that is easy to navigate. We have used high contrast colours and accessible fonts to increase text readability. Additionally, the layout is structured to be intuitive, so learners can easily find the information they need.
The Sustainability Framework for ELT (English Language Teaching) is based on the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development - 17 Goals which aim to promote peace and prosperity for people around the world, as well as the planet itself by the year 2030.
The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
This is at the heart of GLOW UP! It helps teachers and students get the most out of every moment of learning.
Integrated Learning and Assessment
This provides comprehensive language coverage and essential practice of Grammar and Vocabulary across the four skills, as well as the necessary abilities for Mediation.
The LOMLOE is seamlessly integrated into the content
The Agenda 2030 goals are integrated into the course content, giving students the opportunity to consider their own role in building a more sustainable future.
Sustainability
Show me the Unit Walkthrough
Show me the course components
Let’s have a look at Unit 1 from Glow Up! Level 1
Key Competencies are embedded naturally into the tasks, allowing students to reinforce new language while developing lifelong learning skills.
Two types of grammar video to support and consolidate learning.
Videos which feature in the unit are displayed on the opening page.
Language aims are clearly shown. The aims identify language functions, skills, and Learning Situation outcomes. Key competencies in the unit are highlighted here.
Vocabulary that students need during the unit is introduced. A three-star rating system is used to indicate the level of difficulty of the activities. The vocabulary focus always includes a communicative activity to help students practise.
Tips on the differences between British and American English are included.
Students are engaged by a striking opening image and video with tasks that personalise the topic and activate their existing knowledge.
The language structures previewed in the reading task are explored in more detail. Students are guided by a grammar table with guided tasks and the three-star rating system to build their confidence step-by-step.
Target vocabulary reappears in the Reading text. The texts cover a range of different genres. Tasks are fun and encourage students to practise reading skills and to speak about the text.
All the units are linked to the Fast Finisher page extension activities, and corresponding Workbook materials for further practice.
Common errors are highlighted. These are based on research taken from the Cambridge Learner Corpus.
A Grammar reference at the end of the book provides further support.
Vocabulary is extended further with engaging tasks, this time using listening skills to provide context.
A Useful language box with audio and a Pronunciation section provide additional support.
The Writing lesson brings together the topic, language focus, and vocabulary from the unit and provides an opportunity for students to use these in a meaningful written task.
In alternate Speaking lessons, an additional ‘For Real’ video shows real British school children discussing topics connected to the unit topic.
The Speaking focus builds on communication tasks from earlier in the unit with an extended fluency activity.
Both Culture and CLIL lessons include a documentary video.
Units 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 include a focus on Culture. Students can apply what they have learned to a wider global context and use their creative- and critical thinking skills to explore the topic further.
Units 2, 3, 6, and 8 include a focus on CLIL. This encourages students to integrate their language learning with other subjects.
Mini Projects can be completed alone or in groups. In groups, inclusivity and mediation play a key role as students work together collaboratively. They can then extend their project work via the Learning Situations worksheets.
Sustainable Development boxes highlight a goal which has a connection to the content in the lesson. Students are encouraged to discuss questions around that goal. There is also a suggestion to extend the conversation by using an Activity Card available on Cambridge One.
Mediation lessons are included in Levels 1 and 2, and Learning to Learn in Levels 3 and 4. These lessons give students an opportunity to explore communication skills and study skills in greater depth.
Activities which provide a fun extension for more confident students. Students are directed to these at appropriate points in the unit.
Self-Assessment and reflection feature. This helps to make students better learners and promotes Learner Autonomy.
A Review lesson is included after every two units. Students complete tasks both collaboratively and independently to help them understand their own progress.
An additional set of vocabulary in the back of the book, extending and building on the topic in the corresponding unit. Useful for challenging stronger groups of students.
A Grammar Review is included in the back of the book to clarify language structures. A useful resource, e.g. as class preparation, a review tool for self- study or exam preparation.
Provides additional tasks for each unit to support speaking and help students improve areas of pronunciation that are challenging. These are selected to be relevant to the vocabulary of each unit.
A handy reference listing irregular verbs.
Everything you need for effective learning
Student’s Book with Interactive eBook
It includes a code to access an interactive version of the eBook on Cambridge One, with audio, video and activities.
eWorkbook: an interactive version of the printed book.
Workbook with Digital Pack
A code in the inside front cover provides access to a Digital Pack which includes a wide range of digital resources:
Practice Extra: extra online practice activities and games.
Test&Train Mini (levels 2 and 4): on-the-go, intuitive training for your Cambridge English exam.
Personalised Learning: reading and listening activities, tailored to each student’s individual ability.
Teacher’s Book with Digital Pack
Presentation Plus: in-class presentation tool (includes e-Books).
Test Generator: tool to generate ready-made test or create custom test.
Teacher Resources: provides a wealth of extra resources which are easy to find and download.
The Teacher's Book includes a code with access to everything that learners can see, plus:
For a fully digital class with complete tracking, you can also use the Digital Student’s Book and Workbook. These books can be used on BlinkLearning or Cambridge One.
Digital Student’s Book and Workbook
