Academic Journal of Modern Philology

doi: 10.34616/ajmp.2023.19.27

ISSN 2299–7164

Vol. 19 (2023)

Open Access. Published by Committee for Philology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław Branch and College for Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Wrocław. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

Aleksandra R. Knapik

Komisja Nauk Filologicznych, Oddział PAN we Wrocławiu

reginaknapik@gmail.com

ORCID: 0000-0003-3814-3560

The Review of the English Textbook: Battleplan. English for the Polish Military. Student’s Book, Level 3. Author: Jeremy Walters

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive review of the English textbook entitled Battleplan: English for the Polish Military. Student’s Book, Level 3. The evaluation encompasses various aspects, including content, pedagogical approach, language proficiency targets, and overall effectiveness in catering to the linguistic needs of Polish military personnel. Through a meticulous analysis, the article aims to offer insights into the strengths and potential shortcomings of the textbook, shedding light on its suitability for learners at Stanag Level 3. The review seeks to contribute to the ongoing discourse on language education within military contexts, providing educators and curriculum developers with valuable perspectives for refining language learning materials tailored to the specific requirements of the Polish military in the context of Stanag 6001examination.

Keywords: military discourse, Stanag 6001, formal writing, second language acquisition, ESL

Battleplan. English for the Polish Military deals with specific aspects of English in the professional and military fields such as Finances, Economy, Military Operations, NATO Institution, Crime and Punishment, just to mention a few. The book consists of twelve units which comprise typical and indispensable Stanag level 3 examination topics. What is most desirable, especially by the students, is that each unit is correlated with advanced grammatical notions, e.g. Reported Speech, Unreal Time Subjunctives, Cleft Sentences etc. This enables the learners to practice the formulas required from them during an exam. All the units of the Battleplan textbook are filled with compatible tasks and thought-provoking questions which are intended to give the students a boost for further development of the topic. Each unit starts with a “Lead-in” question set giving the teachers an opportunity to introduce the topic and give the students space for discussion and communication. The reading segments contain texts with highlighted vocabulary and follow-up exploratory exercises. The accompanying task consolidates the glossary from the reading. The articles are adapted from contemporary texts such as New Scientist, Scientific American, The Economist. What is more, each section contains audio and video materials available [at:] www.stanagbattleplan.com (date of access: 15 September 2023). It clearly shows that the whole textbook experience is designed by a true professional and an engaged teacher.

The Battleplan textbook though strategically-planned and abundant with tasks seem not to fully fill the void connected with the ‘discussion’ segment of the Stanag level 3 exam, namely, how to construct and manage an utterance during an oral exam. This area begs a paragraph on how to rhetorically tackle and “disarm” an exam topic; how to elaborate on a question to give a coherent presentation and sound well-ordered and logical. This textbook contains merely a brief suggestion on how to organize a discussion (p.8). This seems however insufficient for a learner to be able to retrieve any useful hint from it.

The publication by Jeremy Walters is dedicated to Polish students preparing for a level 3 Stanag examination. It is also a great lessons base for language instructors who are teaching the course. There is a scarcity of well-planned and versatile materials gathered in one book that facilitate Stanag 3 teachers in the organization of interesting and engaging lessons and this textbook fills this gap perfectly.

References

Walters, Jeremy (2022) Battleplan. English for the Polish Military, Student’s Book, Level 3. Lublin: Converse English.

Internet source: https://www.stanagbattleplan.com/coursebook [date of access date: 15th September 2023].

Received:

02/10/2023

Reviewed:

13/10/2023

Accepted:

18/11/2023