The Checkpoint English series consists of three books and one CD. Together they form an incremental programme of work with clear goals aimed at raising standards in English. – Each book is divided into units that cover the key curriculum requirements of reading, writing, usage and speaking and listening. – The units have been arranged across the three years to establish, revisit and consolidate these skills. – The texts have been chosen for their quality and richness in classroom study. – Activities are designed to introduce pupils to the focus for the sequence of work and to engage their interest. – Within each unit, several pages are given to reinforcing new knowledge or skills in context. – Photocopiable pages contain actitivites where a more hands-on approach is suitable. – Usage sections focus attention on sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, spelling and vocabulary. – Progression is built into each unit of study and across the course as a whole. – Many of the units are free-standing, allowing the flexibility to link them with other units or with material the teacher has sourced from elsewhere. – The accompanying CD provides audio support where it is most helpful to pupils and this is clearly indicated within the text by the CD icon.