Just Speak is an aid to facilitate English speaking for students who do not speak English as their
first language. The book is divided into 3 sections, each section requiring 2 years to complete:
Two Foundation Levels: for ages 13/14 and 14/15
Two Higher Levels: for ages 15/16 and 16/17
Two Academic Levels: for ages 17/18 and 18/19
The Foundation and Higher levels are suitable to be used worldwide, whilst the Academic levels specifically
target the central European market.
Just Speak took around eight years to complete and has since been tested and used in schools in Liberec,
(North Bohemia) Jablonne, (Eagle Mountains) Prerov and Kromeriz (Central Moravia).
Just Speak stands on two main legs. Firstly, the book is essentially a collection of games and activities
knitted together by following a list of vocabulary of the most useful words in English, ultimately forming
a list of approximately 3000 words. The authors consulted many of the seemingly endless resources
dealing with the most useful words in English and compiled a list that complements the aims of
Just Speak.
The second leg of the book relates to the order of topics. These were specifically selected to appeal to a
specific age group, rather than to a group with a specific level of English. The theory is that if the group
is interested in the topic, they will be encouraged to speak. It is up to the teacher, therefore, to select
an appropriate grammar book to accompany Just Speak.
The methodology of the book is relatively basic: firstly, students are given a list of vocabulary to study.
Inevitably they already know many of the words and they simply have to familiarise themselves with the unknown
ones. Secondly, all the words are practised in practical situations and finally, students are tested both in
written form (by making short sentences with words from their vocabulary lists) and in verbal form (by making
short presentations relating to the given topic). As far as is reasonably possible, the teacher leads by example,
giving students clearly defined and attainable goals.