BiblioVault - Books about Textbooks for foreign speakers

Basic Technical Japanese

Edward E. Daub

University of Wisconsin Press, 2011

Even if you have had no Japanese-language training, you can learn how to translate technical manuals, research publications, and reference works. Basic Technical Japanese takes you step by step from an introduction to the Japanese writing system through a mastery of grammar and scientific vocabulary to reading actual texts in Japanese. You can use the book to study independently or in formal classes.
This book places special emphasis on the kanji (characters) that occur most often in technical writing. There are special chapters on the language of mathematics and chemistry, and vocabulary building and reading exercises in physics, chemistry, biology, and biochemistry. With extensive character charts and vocabulary lists, Basic Technical Japanese is entirely self-contained; no dictionaries or other reference works are needed.

[more]

The Basque Language

A Practical Introduction

Alan R. King

University of Nevada Press, 2012

Since its first publication in 1994, Alan R. King’s introduction to the Basque language has become the standard textbook for classroom language students and individuals learning this unique language on their own. It offers clear explanations of grammatical structure, exercises that allow students to practice grammatical and communication skills, dialogues and narrative texts that provide a glimpse into Basque social and family life. It also provides exercises in pronunciation and tips for instructors and students to help them achieve fluency in modern Basque.

[more]

Beginning Hindi

A Complete Course

Joshua H. Pien and Fauzia Farooqui

Georgetown University Press, 2013

Beginning Hindi is designed to help first-year learners acquire the language by using it in real-life situations. The book and its accompanying audio files–available on the Press website–include clear explanations of language structures, engaging activities, and an organizational format that makes it easy to chart student progress.

[more]

Beginning Urdu

A Complete Course

Joshua H. Pien and Fauzia Farooqui

Georgetown University Press, 2016

eTextbooks are now available through VitalSource.com!

Beginning Urdu is a complete first-year textbook designed to help learners acquire the language by actively using it in real-life situations. The book and its accompanying audio files–available on the Press website–contain all that is needed to complete one full year of study, including clear explanations of language structures; useful, fun, and engaging activities; and an organizational format that makes it easy to chart student progress.

FEATURES• Develops all four skills—listening, speaking, reading, writing—through a wide range of tasks and activities, including role plays, games, and short conversations• Beautifully illustrated with full-color, authentic images and written in an accessible style• Introduces the sound system and script of Urdu• Organized around functional themes such as home and family, everyday life, the marketplace, personal responsibilities, and travel• Features straightforward grammatical explanations and topically organized vocabulary lists for each of the 34 chapters• Integrates cultural information within the thematic units and also presents culture through aphorisms, poetry, and photographs• Provides an activity set for each unit along with review activities, including tips for increasing fluency and sets of questions to help personalize learning• Contains Urdu–English and English–Urdu glossaries • Includes three appendices—Urdu numbers, additional grammatical structures for moving to advanced levels of proficiency, and a suggested syllabus Beginning Urdu covers approximately 150 contact hours and is designed to bring learners to the ACTFL proficiency level of mid- to high-intermediate in all four skills. The book also serves as a valuable resource for independent learners.

[more]

Bookmarks

A Companion Text for Like Water for Chocolate

Janet Giannotti

University of Michigan Press, 1999

A Companion Text forLike Water for Chocolate provides exercises and activities for ESL students who are reading the English translation of the novel by Laura Esquivel (published by Doubleday). Set during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Like Water for Chocolate is a story about an extended Mexican family and what happens when one daughter is not permitted to marry the man she loves. Cooking and food are central to the story line and help thread the story together.
A Companion TextforLike Water for Chocolate is made up of six units, each covering two chapters in the novel. Every unit contains a preview section, free writing exercises, a short glossary (to help with Spanish words), comprehension quizzes, vocabulary exercises and summarizing exercises, a section devoted to response journals, and topics for discussion. The "Beyond the Novel" section includes facts about U.S. and Mexican history and folk tales. Illustrations throughout the book help to engage students and offer visual support for reading comprehension.

[more]

Brandeis Modern Hebrew

Vardit Ringvald, Bonit Porath, Yaron Peleg, Esther Shorr, and Sara Hascal

Brandeis University Press, 2015

Written by the core faculty of the Hebrew Program at Brandeis University, Brandeis Modern Hebrew is an accessible introduction to the Hebrew language for American undergraduates and high school students. Its functional and contextual elements are designed to bring students from the beginner level to the intermediate level, and to familiarize them with those linguistic aspects that will prepare them to function in advanced stages. This volume reflects some of the main principles that have shaped the Brandeis Hebrew curriculum during the past decade. These include: • an emphasis on the learner’s ability to use the target language in all four skills areas: speaking, listening, reading, and writing • an effort to contextualize each unit within a specific subject or theme • exposing the student to authentic and semi-authentic materials (texts written by native speakers) • exploring different elements from Israeli and Jewish culture in the language drills, reading passages, and in selections of sources from the Hebrew literary canon The text in this edition comprises a short introduction to the instructor, 11 units, supplementary Hebrew proficiency guidelines, and a vocabulary list. Audio-visual components for all reading passages are available online for download.

[more]

Business Arabic, Advanced Level

Authentic Texts and Audiovisual Materials

Raji M. Rammuny

University of Michigan Press, 2000

This second volume in the series Business Arabic is intended for high-intermediate and advanced learners. It contains seven units that cover a wide variety of authentic materials, including commercial advertisements, business correspondence, banking documents and transactions, economic reports, contracts, and agreements. The cultural notes throughout the lessons give the learner an in-depth view of the value systems of Arabs at work. This useful information affords learners insight into the way many Arabs feel about their work, and prepares them to deal effectively with the differences in values within the workplace.

Students who successfully complete the volume will be able to understand commercials and business reports presented orally in Arabic, read and comprehend original Arabic business documents; communicate effectively during business discussions and contract negotiations; successfully handle a broad variety of business forms and documents; and understand and deal effectively with social customs and behavior involved in business in the Arab world.

Raji M. Rammuny is Professor of Arabic Studies, Department of Near Eastern Studies, University of Michigan. He is the author of numerous books, including Advanced Standard Arabic through Authentic Texts and Audiovisual Materials, Parts 1 and 2, also published by the University of Michigan Press.

[more]

Business Arabic, Intermediate Level

Language, Culture and Communication

Raji M. Rammuny

University of Michigan Press, 2000

Raji M. Rammuny's Business Arabic, Intermediate Level is intended for intermediate learners who have completed at least two regular years of Arabic study. It contains twenty-one lessons, in addition to a general introduction that includes useful information on Arab countries. The lessons are arranged by situational topics pertinent to travel, social, and business interactions. Each lesson is supported by audio and video cassettes of about two to five minutes each. The set of dialogues employs a specific form of spoken standard Arabic that is flexible enough to be understood throughout the Arab world. Learners who successfully complete this part will be able to perform well in a variety of situations, both social and business. The cultural notes and questions for discussion in each lesson familiarize the learners with Arab social customs and prepare them to start examining one's own culture and that of the Arab world.
The volume expects students to have control of basic vocabulary and grammatical structures that are typically covered in the first two years of Arabic instruction. Grammatical notes are given for review purposes, where necessary.

[more]

Business Japanese

Shoji Azuma and Ryo Sambongi

Georgetown University Press, 2001

Written for intermediate to advanced students of Japanese, this book focuses on the language used in real-life business situations, giving students both the linguistic skills and the practical information they need to conduct business in Japan.

More than a guide to language and vocabulary, Business Japanese emphasizes critical thinking and cultural awareness. The book covers Internet and other technical terminology, numbers, and the phrasing of corporate documents. In addition to language elements, the authors provide a short course in the cultural learning that takes place when Americans do business in Japan, discussing topics such as interpersonal dynamics and communications styles. The book also uses the case-study method commonly accepted in business schools. Appropriate for content-based courses as well as the independent student, Business Japanese is not only an effective language text but also an intercultural handbook.

[more]