Once you have the basic listening down, level up your routine.
First, a quick recap. Oxford Word Skills Basic by Ruth Gairns and Stuart Redman (Oxford University Press) is the first installment in a three-part series (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced). Unlike a traditional dictionary, this book organizes words by topic (e.g., "Family," "Food and drink," "My day," "Describing people").
It covers over 2,000 essential words and phrases. But the unique selling point of this series is the cyclical learning model: learn, practice, revise, and review. oxford word skills basic audio
However, a silent textbook has a fatal flaw: pronunciation. This is where the audio files come in.
To maximize your learning, pair the Oxford Word Skills Basic Audio with these free tools: Once you have the basic listening down, level
If you have lost your CD or code, check the Oxford University Press ELT (English Language Teaching) website.
Problem: "I downloaded the audio, but it is the British accent, and I want American." Solution: Oxford Word Skills primarily uses Received Pronunciation (British). However, the vocabulary is international. Focus on pronunciation accuracy, not accent preference. For American specific audio, you may need a different series (like English Vocabulary in Use). Unlike a traditional dictionary, this book organizes words
Problem: "The audio is too fast for me." Solution: Use the Oxford Learner's Bookshelf app. It has a "slow down" button (a turtle icon). Or use a music player (like VLC) to reduce playback speed to 90% or 80%.
Problem: "I lost my CD / My CD is broken." Solution: Do not buy a new book yet. Contact Oxford University Press customer support. Often, if you provide proof of purchase (a photo of the book's title page), they will provide a digital download link.