Oxford Practice Grammar Basic with Answers is the first in a 3-part series of English grammar texts. According to the publishers, it is geared towards elementary to pre-intermediate learners and is appropriate for classroom or self-study. There is an accompanying, though limited CD-rom which contains extra practice in alternative formats and supposed access to a diagnostic test online (which did not display when I tried to access it).
The text itself is organized logically according to grammatical structures moving from easy to more difficult. Each chapter contains 6 -16 lessons concentrated in the areas of Present Tense, Past, Future, Sentences and Questions, Modal Verbs, Prepositions, and Building Sentences, etc. The 109 lessons are short (1/2 page each) and are then followed by 1.5 pages of mixed practice exercises with all answers provided in the back. Each chapter concludes with a chapter test. The book contains a 120 question Exit Test and an Appendix with some of the most helpful points condensed into an easily scannable format.
"A brief, clear, thorough, paperback text that basic through intermediate+ level students can benefit from."
The book is in no way unique or flashy, but it is solid. However the web-based "resource" and CD-Rom seem to be more for show than for use. Explanations of concepts in the book are clear and appropriate for basic level students. Multiple exercises are useful in building skill, though at times students get lost fulfilling the instructions of the exercises, which are not always authentic. I do like how negatives and questions practice is usually integrated naturally and thoroughly into each lesson; and that lessons sometimes include "what not to do/say" or the common mistakes that students often make with each skill.
One significant negative about the text is that it is often too minutely-detailed. While helpful for skipping to targeted practice in specific areas, sometimes it feels like we're so close to the trees, that we can't see the forest. The minutiae also often implies heavy memorizing for students. For example, Lesson 80 is on As/like, and as if/as though. The lesson contains 9 distinct bullet points of information to memorize in order to use these accurately. Another example is in the Modal Verbs Chapter. One lesson titled: Can/Could I? May I? Can/Could you? as well as the other lessons on Modal Verbs detail and compare the different modals in such detail that you sort of lose track of the whole, and the point. Not to mention that certain concepts like Reported Speech, Present Perfect, and Conditionals have no place in a basic level text.
The content of the book could easily be whittled down and some lessons could certainly use reorganization, especially when viewed in light of the target audience--beginner students-- using this as a self-study resource. However, what makes this book somewhat inappropriate for basic level students also makes it appropriate for higher level students and a good resource for mobile teachers who serve a range of students at different levels. I travel about with this book as my most frequent companion (next to my iPad) and have successfully used it with beginner to advanced level students selectively. Basically, the same essential grammatical skills and tenses for all levels are covered in this one text. I find the easy- to- follow grammar texts useful in reviewing or teaching concepts so as to give students a clear idea of the concept, some isolated practice, and then focus our time on putting this grammatical skill to use in more authentic ways.
Ignore the "technology" associated with this text and appreciate it for what it is: a brief, clear, thorough, paperback text that basic through intermediate+ level students can benefit from.
