Cutting Edge V Inside Out

[Jerezgirl]

I´ve just posted this on "Ask A Teacher", but now it occurs to me that that might not have been the appropriate place´. Apologies for duplicating the post (I´m new!).


Hi - this question is primarily directed to other teachers, although I would be interested to know what students think too.

I have been using Cutting Edge for the past 3 years, but the time has come for me to update my books. My local supplier tells me that Inside Out is now his number one best seller for a course book. Has anyone used either of these course books? and which do you prefer?

Personally I liked Cutting Edge very much (better the devil you know?), but I guess Inside Out is his best seller for a reason (breath new life into my classes?).

It may help if I tell you that all my students are 18+, and I teach small groups of no more than 6 people. They are all Spanish.

Thanks!!

Nicole

[Tdol]

I haven't used it, but this is an enthusiastic review by a teacher:
Amazon.com: Reviews for Inside Out Advanced: Books: Helena Gomm,Jon Hird

[Jerezgirl]

Originally Posted by Tdol

I haven't used it, but this is an enthusiastic review by a teacher:
Amazon.com: Reviews for Inside Out Advanced: Books: Helena Gomm,Jon Hird

Thanks for that - it hadn´t occurred to me to use Amazon.

So, according to that review it is:

Inside Out - 1, Cutting Edge - Nil.


Anyone disagree??

[Tdol]

Is it essential to change if you like the other, though? Has it become a cliche in Spain like Headway?

[Jerezgirl]

Originally Posted by Tdol

Is it essential to change if you like the other, though? Has it become a cliche in Spain like Headway?

It´s not essential to change, no, although it is essential that I upgrade at least as I have been using my current books for about 3 years now. I just wondered if I was missing out on something really good by not using Inside Out.

My supplier is in the UK, and he says Inside Out is his number one seller. I am in Spain, and to the best of my knowledge I am the only school using Cutting Edge in this city, and would be the only one using Inside Out if I switched to that.

So no problems on the cliche front either way!!

Nicole

[Tdol]

Put yourself two books ahead of the competition. What are they using?

[Jerezgirl]

Originally Posted by Tdol

Put yourself two books ahead of the competition. What are they using?

From my research into the competition(!) I gather that most are using English File, Headway and another one with "Oxford" in the title that I am unfamiliar with.

I think I have made up my mind to go down the Inside Out route. I was hoping for a few more responses here, but nevermind.

I´m sure I´m not going to be too disappointed with Inside Out - they have to be at the top of my supplier´s list for a reason, right?

[BobK]

Originally Posted by Jerezgirl

...
I have been using Cutting Edge for the past 3 years, but the time has come for me to update my books. My local supplier tells me that Inside Out is now his number one best seller for a course book. Has anyone used either of these course books? and which do you prefer?

Personally I liked Cutting Edge very much (better the devil you know?), but I guess Inside Out is his best seller for a reason (breath new life into my classes?).

...

I've used both, but under rather artificial circumstances. I used Inside Out for my pre-Int class (first 2 weeks of CELTA) and Cutting Edge for my Post-Int class (2nd two weeks). So I only looked at a chapter or two of each.

I preferred Cutting Edge. I liked the layout and structure better; I suspect the Teacher's Book is better too - though I found the TB for Inside Out so useless that I didn't give it a fair test. And the students were more engaged with CE - though maybe that's just because those students could engage better with the written word.

And my preference for CE could have something to do with my preference for the second group of students (both socially, and because I'm better as a teacher when dealing with the less basic stuff).

My inclination, FWIW, would be to stick with what you know.

b

[Jerezgirl]

Originally Posted by BobK

I've used both, but under rather artificial circumstances. I used Inside Out for my pre-Int class (first 2 weeks of CELTA) and Cutting Edge for my Post-Int class (2nd two weeks). So I only looked at a chapter or two of each.

I preferred Cutting Edge. I liked the layout and structure better; I suspect the Teacher's Book is better too - though I found the TB for Inside Out so useless that I didn't give it a fair test. And the students were more engaged with CE - though maybe that's just because those students could engage better with the written word.

And my preference for CE could have something to do with my preference for the second group of students (both socially, and because I'm better as a teacher when dealing with the less basic stuff).

My inclination, FWIW, would be to stick with what you know.

b

Oohh, just when I thought I had reached a decision...it´s now Cutting Edge - 1, Inside out -1.

If it hasn´t already become apparant, I am an incredibly indecisive person and I rely heavily on the opinions of others!! Buying a set of books at all levels, with teachers´ books, work books, CDs, etc, etc is very expensive and I am quite fearful of making a mistake.!

By the sounds of it they are both fairly decent series. Maybe I should just flip a coin!!!

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by Jerezgirl

Oohh, just when I thought I had reached a decision...it´s now Cutting Edge - 1, Inside out -1.

Nicole, have you seen these?

Inside Out - The Art of Communication
Inside Out - Course components for Inside Out
Inside Out - The Art of Communication
Inside Out - Course components for Inside Out (Reviews)

All the best.