<P>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.<p> The series: <ul><li><b>Develops essential listening strategies,</b> including predicting, looking at language, understanding main ideas and points of view, focusing on details, and note-taking.</li><li><b>Fosters critical thinking skills</b> through follow-up activities that include discussion, debate, values clarification, and writing assignments.</li><li><b>Integrates language and concepts</b> through sophisticated grammar and vocabulary activities.</li></ul><b>Audio programs</b> comprising original radio broadcasts are available for each book. (Audioscripts appear in separate Answer Key for Raise the Issues, Second Edition). <b><i>Consider the Issues:</i></b><ul><li>Twelve thought-provoking units - six new to this edition - emphasize critical thinking activities such as discussion, debate, and values clarification.</li><li>New topics include cell phone courtesy, globalization, medicine as business, philanthropy, how technology is blurring boundaries between home and work, and the influence of media on young adults.</li><li>New pronunciation strand provides practice with native English sound patterns.</li><li>Inferencing questions encourage students to find implied meanings.</li></ul></P>