Innovation in Language Learning

This article introduces a new series of educational materials, published by National Geographic Learning, a part of Cengage Learning, in 2014. Spanning beginner to advanced level, the LIFE books series is designed for EFL/ ESL students who aim at academic education. Using National Geographic materials, the book provides learners with real life lesson models encompassing global cultural awareness and issues. Thus, merging ecology, sociology, culturology, anthropology, technology, social studies, science and politics, it provides us, the English teachers, with a material that answers to the interdisciplinary, cross-curricular scheme of the 21^st century that our National Curriculum reformations have been attempting, but without providing a model ground for such a change in educational concept. The paper analyzes the changes this global concept brings and sheds light on the changing demands on both students and teachers, should such an approach be adopted. Last but not least, it attempts at a critical assessment of the concept the LIFE series proposes.