Four-level, secondary course
CEFR levels A1+ to B1+
American English
80-90 hours, extendable up to 180
Start the tour
1. Introduction
2. Insights
3. Empowering learners
4. The learning journey
5. Digital tools – all in one place
6. Full teacher support
7. Get in touch
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Insights
You spoke. We listened.
Shape it! is designed to help students take ownership of their learning. The combination of learner training and collaborative projects helps students develop their individual and collaborative skills to become confident, independent, and future-ready.
“I want my students to feel that they belong to the world; that they are global citizens.” - Itana, Brazil
The Cambridge Life Competencies Framework
In response to this question, we have developed a framework that helps teachers recognize and assess the many transferable skills that the course develops.
How can we help our students develop transferable skills to enable them to work with people from around the world, to think creatively, to analyze sources critically, and to communicate effectively?
Competency
Communication
Collaboration
Learning to Learn
Critical Thinking
Creative Thinking
Social Responsibilities
Taking control of your own learning
Practical skills for participating in learning
Reflecting on and evaluating own learning success
Core Area
Takes effective notes in class and from homework reading
Uses a vocabulary notebook
Uses metacognitive strategies (e.g., time management, affective control) to maximize learning/exam success
Can Do Statements
The framework maps out a comprehensive set of skills students need to become successful global citizens.
Although Shape it! focuses on the Learning to Learn and Collaboration competencies, all competencies are explored throughout the course
Empowering learners
Independent learners
The Learn to Learn feature of the course helps students become more independent by introducing them to vital learning strategies and techniques.
The Learn to Learn feature appears throughout each unit, extended by a dedicated full page at the end of every unit
Practices basic learning techniques, such as taking notes, categorizing information, and assessing strengths and weaknesses
The Learn to Learn sections cover three broad areas of learner training and are all fully aligned to the Cambridge Life Competencies Framework.
1. Practical skills for participating in learning
2. Taking control of their own learning
3. Reflecting on and evaluating their own success
Collaborative learners
Project work is made simple thanks to a step-by-step guide and practical tips for students and teachers
Students can improve their subject knowledge while exploring a wide variety of topics in English
Project work allows students to build collaborative skills, acquire practical, transferable, skills and engage with real-world issues.
The Learning journey
Scaffolded Activities
Activities build confidence and encourage independent learning by gradually introducing students to the topic and target language.
Every unit takes students on a journey from "starting it!" to "shaping it!"
Start It! questions provoke curiosity, activate prior knowledge and get students thinking critically.
Use It! promotes the controlled practice of target language.
Explore It! helps students research skills and extends their learning beyond English.
Start It!
Explore It!
Use It!
Voice It!
Global topics
Around the World pages bring global topics to life, exposing students to people and places from around the world.
Topics range from traditional dress to unique festivals to encourage students to think about the differences between cultures.
Vibrant videos
The four or five videos per unit, made especially for this course, are aimed specifically at teenagers and help them see the grammar in action.
Documentary Videos
Grammar in Action Videos
Everyday English Videos
Get students thinking about the unit topic and activate prior knowledge and language
Make learning grammar more meaningful by featuring teenagers using the target language
Encourage students to try out the latest colloquial words and phrases for themselves
I'll give it a try.
Digital tools – all in one place
The digital package
Teacher’s Resource Bank Online resource area with culture projects, graded grammar and vocabulary practice worksheets, video worksheets, communication worksheets, and more!
Practice Extra A mobile-friendly platform with bite-sized learning activities, online speaking tasks, and performance tracking
Digital collaboration space Allows students to collaborate digitally online and offline, and teachers to assign, track, and assess students’ work
Presentation Plus The software is available both online and offline and enables teachers to present the Student’s Book and Workbook with interactive exercises and games
Full Teacher Support
Wraparound Teacher’s Book
The Teacher’s Book offers the teacher guidance, practical classroom ideas, and extra resources, empowering them to deliver inspiring and productive lessons.
The new wraparound layout makes the teacher’s life easier by offering step-by-step guidance through the Student’s Book
Highlights the extra resources available to teachers throughout the unit, both on and offline
Mixed-ability support with extension activities, graded activities, class challenges, and flipped classroom ideas
The access code in the Teacher's Book gives the teacher full access to online tools and resources, such as Presentation Plus and the Teacher's Resource Bank
Project Book
The Project Book guides teachers on how to get the most out of project work so their students can collaborate successfully in and out of the classroom.
Step-by-step guidance, differentiated practice ideas, additional resources, and flipped classroom activities for each project
Manage student roles and responsibilities
Get ideas for extra differentiated practice in each project, perfect for mixed-abilities
Evaluation rubrics to assess student performance, participation, and use of language
Tips on how to monitor and assess the skills that project work develops, mapped to the Cambridge Life Competencies Framework
Students can work together on their projects in the digital collaboration space and teachers can track and assess their work
Everything you need, from Cambridge
We want to help you find the right solution for your needs, from course materials to support and teacher training. Get in touch with us today and we'll help you to create a Better Learning experience.