本书改变目前很多英语口语教材词汇量小、内容空洞的缺点，将丰富的词汇、实用的语法句子结构融合在真实生动的对话场景中，辅以对话和讨论等多种练习方式，使学生学习口语对话的同时，有效地掌握更多实用词汇和语法结构，并快速提高英语写作水平。

本书语言的难度适中，适用对象广泛：可以作为大学低年级英语专业和高年级非英语专业学生的英语口语教材，不但对通过四、六级考试很有帮助，也对那些有志于出国留学，或是单纯提高口语水平的自学者深有裨益。

本书在每个单元后面的Beware — common problems列出了学生常犯的语言错误，有利于学生及时纠正；Difference between British English and American English又把每单元涉及到的英美英语差别列出，方便学生对照。这些也是其他口语教材所不具备的内容。此外，“自我评估”(selfevaluation)部分，能使学生和老师对学习进程有个大致的了解，并有利于培养学生的自主学习能力和自我管理自我评估的元认知能力。每个单元后面还介绍了与课文相关的中西方文化差异方面的知识，以提高学生的文化适应能力。

UNIT ONE GREETINGS AND INTRODUCTIONS

IN FOCUS: greetings，introduction，expressing agreement 

　Situational dialogues

　 Notes

　 Additional words and sentences

　 Differences between British English and American English

　Beware-common problems

　 Role-play

　Culture check

　 Group discussion

　 Review and self-evaluation 　

UNIT TWO ACCOMMODATION

　IN FOCUS: location/position，complaining，expressing disappointment，asking for and giving information Situational dialogues

　 Notes

　 Additional sentences

　 Differences between British English and American English

　Beware-common problems

　 Role-play

　 Culture check

　Group discussion

　 Review and self-evaluation

UNIT THREE IN THE DINING HALL/CAFETERIA

IN FOCUS: asking for help，asking for and giving information 

　 Situational dialogues

　 Notes

　 Additional words

　 Differences between British English and American English

　Beware-common problems

　 Role-play

　 Culture check

　 Group discussion

　 Review and self-evaluation 　

REVIEW （1）

UNIT FOUR DIRECTIONS AND LOCATION

IN FOCUS: asking for directions，giving directions，showing appreciation，asking for repetition 

　Situational dialogues

　Notes

　 Additional words and phrases

　 Differences between British English and American English

　Beware-common problems

　 Role-play

　 Culture check

　Group discussion

　 Review and self-evaluation

UNIT FIVE ASKING FOR ADVICE

IN FOCUS: asking for advice，giving advice 

　Situational dialogues

　 Notes

　 Additional words and sentences

　 Differences between British English and American English

　Beware-common problems

　 Role-play

　 Culture check

　Group discussion

　 Review and self-evaluation 　

UNIT SIX MAKING A TELEPHONE CALL

IN FOCUS: expressing want/desire，asking for information，offering help 

　 Situational dialogues

　 Notes

　 Additional words, phrases and sentences

　 Differences between British English and American English

　 Beware-common problems

　 Role-play

　 Culture check

　 Group discussion

　 Review and self-evaluation

REVIEW （2）

UNIT SEVEN SEEING A DOCTOR

IN FOCUS: instructing，asking for information，giving suggestions 

　 Situational dialogues

　 Notes

　 Additional words，hrases and sentences

　 Differences between British English and American English

　Beware-common problems

　 Role-play

　 Culture check

　 Group discussion

　 Review and self-evaluation 　

UNIT EIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

IN FOCUS: expressing preference，want/desire，discussing your spare time 

　 Situational dialogues

　 Notes

　 Additional words，hrases and sentences

　 Differences between British English and American English

　Beware-common problems

　 Role-play

　 Culture check

　 Group discussion

　Review and self-valuation

UNIT NINE IN THE LIBRARY

IN FOCUS: asking for help，iving instruction，xpressing opinions 

　Situational dialogues

　 Notes

　 Additional words and phrases

　 Differences between British English and American English

　Beware-common problems

　 Role-play

　 Culture check

　 Group discussion

　Review and self-aluation

UNIT TEN HOLIDAYS AND VACATIONS

IN FOCUS: expressing desire/want，intention,，hesitating

　 Situational dialogues

　 Notes

　 Additional sentences

　 Differences between British English and American English

　Beware-common problems

　 Role-play

　 Culture check

　Group discussion

　 Review and self-valuation

REVIEW （3）

APPENDIX I KEY TO THE EXERCISES IN THE REVIEWS

APPENDIX II COUNTRIES AND NATIONALITIES