An exciting, proven approach to listening comprehension and discussion, based on authentic radio broadcasts from NPR's "All Things Considered," "Weekend Edition," and "Morning Edition." Students are presented with interesting, relevant content in unedited everyday speech including hesitations, redundancies, and various dialectical patterns. The series: Develops essential listening strategies, including predicting, looking at language, understanding main ideas and points of view, focusing on details, and note-taking. Fosters critical thinking skills through follow-up activities that include discussion, debate, values clarification, and writing assignments. Integrates language and concepts through sophisticated grammar and vocabulary activities. Audio programs comprising original radio broadcasts are available for each book. (Audioscripts appear in separate Answer Key for Raise the Issues, Second Edition). "Raise the Issues: " Integrates all four skills while encouraging students to think critically about American attitudes and values. Combines original broadcasts with authentic webzine, magazine, and newspaper articles, and editorials to present different viewpoints. Features units on current issues ranging from genetic engineering to the effects of the Internet. Audio Sample Listen to a sample from the audio CDs: From Unit 2: Better Dead than Coed (3:21) Click here to order the Audio Program. The NPR series also includes the "Consider the Issues" and the new edition of "Face the Issues."