Teachers work to integrate the four skills smoothly into their lesson plans. A lesson might begin with a pre-topic discussion, move on to listening comprehension, and then focus on reading. The class may end with a written homework assignment. But what of focusing on a specific skill, particularly when so many students may need to improve listening or speaking skills specifically?

The Skill Builders' series at Heads Up English aims for just that: To improve specific skills. In Skill Builders: Listening, there are four to five minute audio files with accompanying exercises. These can be easily integrated into the classroom. They can even be assigned as homework too. The same holds true for Skill Builders: Speaking, as there are questions which may be assigned for a Warm Up, debate, discussion, or as a take-home writing assignment.

Additional resources that may be of interest include:

• Beginner Skill Builders
• Lower-Intermediate Skill Builders
• Upper-Intermediate Skill Builders
• ESL Article: Personal Learning Networks
• ESL Activity: Six Sentences