Family and Friends Starter provides a carefully graded approach to reading, writing and literacy skills in English to very young learners. The structured writing syllabus enables children to progress through the stages in writing development from tracing single letters to independent word writing by end of Unit 9. The graded approach to reading means children move quickly, and with confidence, from recognizing letters and left-to-right progression in the first unit to reading simple dialogues in the last unit. The enjoyable phonics programme makes up one third of each unit and helps learners improve their reading and speaking more effectively. The straightforward and fun approach is supported by phonics cards and posters, giving fun opportunities for introducing, practising and reinforcing sounds, helping children to speak with confidence. Family and Friends Starter uses a clear grammar-based curriculum alongside the skills syllabus and phonics programme. Children practise the grammar that they have learnt through a range of speaking and writing activities. The course is appealing and motivating for young learners. There are stickers, which are unique to Starter in the series, and fun songs, chants and story role-playing to learn and produce language throughout the book. A story in every unit following the adventures of three children in a happy family helps young learners learn new language in an enjoyable way. Family and Friends Starter provides teachers with a wide range of integrated print and digital resources, including stickers, phonics cards and posters, tests and CD-ROM. The varied resources suit all teaching situations and meet the needs of students with different learning styles. With the Student's Site, children can continue learning English at home, and parents can support and reinforce the learning that is taking place at school. The Student's Site includes all the songs, chants, and vocabulary from Family and Friends Starter. Family and Friends Starter develops the whole child, too. The strong values syllabus helps children develop their social and emotional skills.
