Understanding OPAL and Academic English

Nell Hook, managing editor at Oxford University Press, discusses the development of Q Skills for Success, a course book designed to teach academic and general English. The book uses the Oxford 3000 and OPAL word lists to ensure students learn relevant vocabulary. The third edition introduces the Oxford 5000 for advanced learners and replaces the older Academic Word List with OPAL, offering a richer vocabulary. Student books highlight these words and include academic language tips.

Who is Nell Hook?

• A marketing specialist

• A managing editor at Oxford University Press

• A digital delivery expert

• A graphic designer

What is the primary aim of the Cue course book?

• To teach conversational English

• To enhance creative writing skills

• To provide academic English skills

• To focus on business English

Why is it important to teach general English alongside academic English in Cue?

• Because it is a requirement by Oxford University

• Because students only use English in academic settings

• Because general English is easier to learn

• Because academic texts contain general English words

What is the Oxford 3000?

• A list of the most frequent and valuable general English words

• A list of 3000 academic phrases

• A list of 3000 business terms

• A list of 3000 creative writing prompts

What is OPAL?

• A list of creative writing prompts

• A list of academic words and phrases

• A list of conversational phrases

• A list of business terms

Why was OPAL chosen over the Academic Word List for the third edition of Cue?

• Because the Academic Word List is not available anymore

• Because OPAL is easier to understand

• Because the Academic Word List is too complex

• Because OPAL is more recent and comprehensive

How many separate lists does OPAL have?

• Four

• Three

• Two

• Five

What is the purpose of highlighting words in the student books?

• To make the books more colorful

• To highlight difficult words

• To help students quickly identify important vocabulary

• To emphasize grammar rules

What is the Academic Language Tip feature?

• A section that provides grammar exercises

• A feature that delves deeper into the usage of words from OPAL

• A list of common spelling mistakes

• A guide to writing essays