This two-level series features:
-- An integrated skills approach. Each unit interweaves reading, writing, speaking, and listening activities, with grammar and vocabulary exercises derived from the source materials.
-- Materials developed from actual university courses on high-interest topics from the sciences and humanities to astronomy and folklore. Students can see how academic skills learned in one discipline transfer to work in other fields.
-- Videotapes of authentic university lectures. Unlike studio-produced lectures, authentic lectures illustrate natural language and lecture style, and North American classroom culture.
-- A wide variety of academic strategies throughout the texts include listening for emphasis cues, and using examples with generalizations.