How much does The English Course cost?

The price for the complete package of textbook, DVD and web site access is ¥3,500. However, discounts are available for volume orders.

The price seems a bit high. Is the textbook available for sale separately?

We think the price reasonable considering the package contains a textbook, a DVD and access to the web site. Typically, publishers sell EFL video cassettes for anywhere between ¥7,000 - ¥30,000. So, to get the whole package for less than half of the cost of the typical cheapest EFL video is, we believe, a bargain.

The main reason we are not in favour of selling the components seperately is because of the high degree of integration between all three components. Throughout the textbook, students are invited to use the DVD in self-access situations. It is also intended that they make use of the web site. Indeed, it is a basic design concept of the course and, we feel, a major advantage that students have access to the DVD and web site whenever and wherever they want or need it. In the past, most students have had to make do with just words on a printed page to study with outside of class. (Or at best, in recent years, a self-study CD in addition to a textbook.) Arguably, such mediocre offerings have played a part in low student motivation and performance. This course offers students much more in terms of an opportunity to study and its components are intended to be an incentive to study beyond the confines of the classroom.

I am connected to the Internet, but when I click on a web link on the DVD, I do not connect automatically. What's wrong?

It depends on which computer platform and operating systemyou are using. Connections are easiest on the Apple Macintosh platform, running OS X. Windows users might have a bit more trouble getting and keeping this feature running. You should try this (also explained in the DVD Guide):

On a Macintosh, launch the DVD Player application, open the DVD Player's preferences, look for the 'Enable DVD@ccess web links option and click OK.

On a Windows machine, you need to install a software programme called DVD@cess.exe. This programme can be found on your DVD in a folder called DVDccess. There is a read me file in this folder too. The problem that you may encounter is that in many institutions' language labs, the computers are set to purge anything installed by a casual user each time they are switched or logged off. You might need to get the institutions systems administrator to install the programme for you to prevent this happening.