This textbook introduces ESL/EFL students to the most frequently used words in American academic environments, based on the 800-word University Word List developed by Xue and Nation (1984). Adding this academic vocabulary to the 2,000 basic words of English enables students to understand 95 percent of academic texts.
Mastery also familiarizes students with American culture: students read about prominent Americans involved in business (Lee Iacocca), social activism (Gloria Steinem, Cesar Chavez), politics (Colin Powell), sports (Roberto Clemente), science (Carl Sagan), architecture (Maya Lin), and the arts (Maya Angelou, Georgia O'Keeffe). The target vocabulary is introduced in the readings, which are taken from current biographies and have been selected to stimulate student interest. For example, students are introduced to the excitement of designing a car (the 1964 Mustang) with Iacocca, the formidable task of starting a union with Chavez, and the joy of Clemente's batting his 3,000th hit. Thus, Mastery provides students with the vocabulary they will encounter most frequently in their academic endeavors and also enriches their understanding of a culture.
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