First Choice offers alternative routes for learners at A1 level:

First Choice Starter is an optional 30-hour course for learners with no previous knowledge of English.

First Choice A1 is the standard course at this level for learners with some basic knowledge of English. It is designed to cover the structures leading to level A1 in about 60 hours.

For beginners with previous knowledge of English and learning experience, First Choice A1 Fast covers all the structures and situations of First Choice A1 but learners reach the same level of competence in half the time.

The A2 level also provides two alternative routes with First Choice A2 and First Choice A2 Fast for those learners who wish to refresh their A2 knowledge or get to A2 level quickly.

First Choice B1 provides the natural next step from First Choice A2 and First Choice A2 Fast for learners who want to move their English on beyond the A2 level of the Common European Framework for Languages. At the same time it offers an excellent standalone English course for those who have reached A2 using other coursebooks.

First Choice incorporates the latest methodological developments by basing each unit on specific tasks. Each task centres on communicating with a partner or within the group. This creates opportunities for learners to use English naturally, helping them build communicative competence.

The emphasis in First Choice is on natural English used in everyday situations. Covering a wide range of topics, real-life situations provide the ideal environment for classroom discussion of cultural differences and raise cultural awareness. A storyline with real characters provides human interest and many opportunities for students to talk about their own lives. They can also learn more about the characters on the First Choice web pages.

Learner independence is an important feature of First Choice right from A1 level. At the end of each unit there is a Magazine double page with stimulating material for working at home, including useful tips on how to learn.

The European Language Portfolio is introduced and students are shown how to create their own personal language portfolios for assessing and documenting their language competence and learning progress.

A separate Phrasebook supports the use of natural English. As well as listing the unit vocabulary, it groups thematic vocabulary together and provides important phrases and common expressions. Example sentences show how words are used in context and ‘post-it notes’ warn learners of typical mistakes or explain differences between British and American English.

An Extra Language Trainer, a workbook with a strong self-study element for learners who want or need to practise and revise independently, is also available – with or without CD-ROM.

The web pages for learners are regularly updated and add a lively and interactive element to the whole course.

For each First Choice coursebook, there is a teaching guide offering ample material for teachers, with answer keys, suggestions for extra activities and photocopiable material. Alternatively, the Interactive Lesson Planner provides everything a teacher needs to plan and prepare lessons on the computer, including a worksheet generator, text analysis and audio files as well as all the material available in the teaching guides.

The First Choice web pages offer downloadable worksheets related to the coursebooks. Teachers can also read more about the theories behind First Choice and how they are put into practice throughout the course.