International publishers structure their English coursebook series according to the proficiency levels defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), ranging from A1 to C2. General English coursebooks typically consist of 10–12 units. Each unit includes both core lessons that cover essential curriculum topics and additional practice-oriented lessons. Although including practice lessons is up to each publisher, certain core topics must be taught at every level.
Since students' educational needs vary, some books cover these topics more intensively within 25–30 lessons, while others spread them out across 35–40 lessons more gradually.
Books with fewer lessons are usually designed for individuals who want fast results—students who already have some basic knowledge, are preparing for an upcoming exam, or are planning to travel abroad soon. These books are fast-paced, include heavier assignments, and require more responsibility from the student.
Books with more lessons cater to learners who want to build a strong foundation at a slower, more structured pace, without time pressure. These books offer clearer explanations, a more balanced pace, and a smoother integration of lessons and assignments.
National Geographic Learning (NGL), the publishing branch of Nat Geo focused entirely on English education, has become increasingly popular in recent years. Among the various series published by NGL, the second edition of the Life series forms the backbone of Lhexis' curriculum. This is due to its student-centered, communication-driven, and activity-rich structure. Life encourages learners to think and speak using real-world contexts and high-quality visuals from National Geographic. The series is based on American English and spans six levels from beginner to advanced, with each level containing 12 units.
As mentioned in several sections, Lhexis uses Life as its core source but also supplements it with materials from other publishers throughout the course. Each Life unit has a unique name and centers around broad, relatable themes such as family, friendship, and work life. The lessons within each unit are thematically connected, which makes it easier to organize materials in a logical and coherent way. While many coursebooks use such themes, what makes Life stand out is how consistently its lessons and activities remain faithful to these themes—something only a few series manage to do well.
A Communication-Focused Learning Model: The series stands out for offering plenty of speaking opportunities through fun and interactive activities, which helps naturally improve the most vital language skill: communication.
Visual Richness: The striking, high-quality visuals from National Geographic enhance engagement and motivation.
Real-Life Contexts: Lessons are built around scenarios students might realistically encounter in everyday life.
Cultural Depth: With content inspired by real people and events, students gain a broader, global perspective.
User-Friendly Design: The clean and simple page layout facilitates learning and reduces confusion.
An English teacher should be able to speak either American or British English fluently. Throughout their education, students listen to hundreds of audio recordings. If the teacher's pronunciation doesn’t match the course material, the student’s exposure becomes inconsistent, which can hinder comprehension.
American English is currently the most commonly encountered accent—through YouTube, social media, music, movies, and series. For that reason, it’s also the accent students can learn the fastest. Life is available in both British and American English versions, and since I (as the instructor) speak with an American accent, the American version of Life is used at Lhexis. This ensures both consistency and efficiency in learning.
Let’s break it down:
Life has 6 levels.
Each level has 12 units.
Each unit contains 6 lessons labeled A–F.
That makes 72 lessons in total per level.
A–B–C lessons:
Two pages each.
Core content lessons covering the main curriculum topics.
D–E–F lessons:
One page each.
Application and practice lessons.
D Lesson: Offers real-life speaking activities to apply what’s been learned.
E Lesson: Focuses on writing and includes practical examples like emails and messages.
F Lesson: Contains video-based review activities for reinforcement.
A–B–C lessons are each taught in separate 40-minute classes.
D–E–F lessons are shorter and more hands-on, so they’re combined into a single 50–60-minute weekly class. This becomes the fourth and final lesson of each unit. Selected exercises from these lessons are assigned as homework.
As a result:
Total number of live classes is reduced without losing effectiveness (72 → 48).
Students get well-rounded practice.
The curriculum stays cohesive and complete.
2 lessons per week
1 unit = 4 lessons = 2 weeks
12 units = 48 lessons = 24 weeks
(One full level completed)
The “2-Day Gap” Rule
This scheduling method, based on my experience, ensures that lessons and assignments are spread evenly throughout the week. Scientifically, it’s proven that consistent, evenly spaced practice is the most effective way to learn any topic or skill.
It keeps students from burning out while helping them stay exposed to English regularly. In a Monday–Wednesday schedule, for example, students fit 2 lessons and 1 homework in 3 days—leaving only one homework for whole 4 days. When there are two-day gaps between classes, the entire process becomes a light and rhythmic routine within the student’s weekly life.
All classes begin on the half-hour.
The first class starts at 09:30, and the last one starts at 20:30.
No classes are held on Fridays, so students can choose from 5 weekly schedule options:
Monday – Thursday
Tuesday – Saturday
Wednesday – Saturday
Wednesday – Sunday
Thursday – Sunday
Since each unit is completed in a two-week cycle, students can optionally take a comprehensive unit evaluation at the end—accessible even via mobile devices. These evaluations cover all essential skills such as speaking, writing, reading, grammar, and vocabulary. This helps students identify their level and address any weaknesses.