New Wave English in Practice (Revised Edition)

New Wave English in Practice is a series of six workbooks that aims to develop pupils' English literacy skills through consistent daily practice. It is designed for pupils in Year 2/Primary 3 up to Year 7/Secondary 1.

The workbooks are based on progressive learning objectives that build up pupils’ skills from one level to the next. This revised edition has been improved and updated with a more pupil-friendly layout and fewer daily questions to enable pupils to master essential English skills with a quick and engaging approach.

Download a sample of New Wave English in Practice (Revised)

• Six-workbook series
• Suitable for Year 2/Primary 3 up to Year 7/Secondary 1
• Reinforce English skills over a 32-week period (160 days)

Features of Prim-Ed Publishing's New Wave English in Practice

• Each book contains 32 weeks of work, arranged into four units. Seven weeks of each unit begin with a new ‘Skill Focus’, addressing a key language concept. Each day, the first two questions will reinforce and consolidate this language concept. The rest of the daily questions will cover common skills in the English language.
• Comprehensive and structured daily English practice to consolidate pupils’ ability to read and write.
• Build pupils’ confidence through improved mastery of spelling, punctuation, phonics, word knowledge and grammar.
• Target confusing words and common errors in writing and help your pupils acquire better results.

Features of the Revised Edition from Prim-Ed Publishing

• A reduction in the number of daily questions enables pupils to practise and consolidate a more contained range of language concepts.
• A clearer, less-cluttered page layout to appeal to pupils.
• Clear explanations of key language concepts in the weekly ‘Skill Focus’ section; helpful for pupils, teachers and parents.
• A useful Review Week placed at the end of every unit.

Why English practice is important for pupils

Practising English reading and writing on a regular basis helps children build their literacy skills and develop an understanding of how to use language effectively.

Regular active practice is known to be a more effective English language learning technique than passive studying. Particularly in the early and primary school years, it is important for pupils to develop an understanding of how language works. This goes beyond simply teaching grammar rules from an English textbook or memorising spelling.

As any language learner knows, the best way to progress is by actually using the language. And the fastest way to achieve fluency is by practising it on a daily basis. The same principle applies to mastering the English language.

Daily practice helps to improve reading speed and fluency, expand children's vocabulary, and improve their writing. This in turn will help them to excel in exams and perform better in every subject.

Skills covered in the series

Each book contains a set of daily questions designed to develop English language skills in the following key areas:

Spelling

The best way to learn how to spell correctly is through consistent and ample practice. This series helps pupils to recognise patterns and rules of spelling, as well as giving them the opportunity to practise a wide and varied range of words in context.

Phonics

Good phonics skills are essential for reading accurately and fluently. Through daily activities, pupils build up their knowledge of letter-sound relationships, as well as their awareness of syllables and word families.

Grammar and punctuation

Developing a sound understanding of grammar is essential for expressing thoughts accurately in writing. The daily exercises help pupils to practise the rules of English grammar and punctuation in a fun and engaging way.

Word knowledge

Enriching pupils' vocabulary is a key focus of the series. The activities help to develop word power and encourage the active use of words in both speaking and writing.

Benefits of New Wave English in Practice for teachers and pupils

New Wave English in Practice by Prim-Ed Publishing is designed to help pupils develop a sound foundation of language skills that will serve them well throughout their time at school and beyond. The series provides pupils with the tools they need to build their English literacy skills and become confident users of the language.

The large print format, clear layout and colourful illustrations make the series enjoyable to use. Pupils can easily track their progress and take ownership of their learning from the start.

For teachers, New Wave English in Practice offers a structured environment for reinforcing literacy skills in quick, targeted activities that can easily be integrated into the school day. The activities provide engaging ways to review previously covered topics and ensure pupils are ready for further study.

Teaching English skills in the classroom

Most teachers would agree that literacy skills should lie at the heart of the school curriculum. Without a high level of knowledge and understanding of both spoken and written English, pupils will struggle to make the most out of their school experience.

Encouraging regular reading is one of the simplest and most effective ways of developing English skills. Reading materials should be selected to match the pupils’ interests and across a variety of media, including books, newspapers and magazine articles and online content.

Writing activities are also important for the development of language skills. As well as encouraging pupils to write stories and reports, teachers can engage the class by setting fun tasks such as letter writing or creating comic strips.

Other classroom activities can also be an effective way to reinforce key areas of English. These could include games, quizzes and role plays that focus on grammar, spelling and punctuation, as well as listening and speaking exercises.

Some other tips and ideas for developing English skills include:

• Building daily independent reading time into the school day and encouraging pupils to choose books of their own interest.
• Incorporating language games into lessons, such as word study puzzles and crosswords.
• Organising visits to the library or inviting authors in for discussions.
• Encouraging pupils to write regularly in journals or diaries.
• Using technology such as iPads or interactive whiteboards to create fun activities.
• Organising group discussions and debates.
• Creating ‘word of the day’ exercises.
• Using gamification strategies such as setting reading targets or awarding certificates for achievements.
• Running a paired reader programme in which younger and older pupils read together.
• Watching film adaptations of books and discussing the differences.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most effective ways to teach spelling?

Children learn to spell correctly through plenty of practice and repetition. Teachers can also help pupils to develop their knowledge of phonics, syllables and word families, as well as teaching the rules of spelling, such as the silent letters or when to double a letter.

What are the best ways to encourage a reluctant writer?

Writing can often be daunting for young pupils, so it is important to make the process as enjoyable and engaging as possible. As well as setting fun activities like creating posters or comic strips, short daily practice sessions are very effective for building confidence and improving writing skills.

How can teachers help pupils to develop their use of English?

Teachers can model good language use by reading aloud, engaging in discussions and encouraging debate. It's also vital to encourage regular reading and writing activities and expose pupils to a wide variety of literature.