Project manager (PM): So, this new product is the big one! General English resources have never been so pointless, which is why TITLES MATTER.
(Everyone unmutes their mics to shout ‘hear, hear’ and bang stuff down loudly and repeatedly)
PM: That’s the sole reason for this meeting – to choose a TITLE! We want this resource to sing. Sing loudly and proudly to an audience that doesn’t need it, but *will believe that they do*! So, let’s hear your suggestions my seasoned editorial team!
Bob: (unmutes) I strongly believe that the adult general English market should look to Primary resources for inspiration. I mean, when we chose the name Hats on Top, we…
Leslie: You were high, Bob. You were high. And no one knows how you got that one past the rest of the editorial team.
Bob: It was a successful book. That’s all I’m saying.
PM: To be fair to Bob, it was successful. And a good starting point would be to consider what has worked well for others.
Gerta: Life?
Bert: That’s subjective.
Leslie: Jeez, who invited the Grim Reaper? How about we go with ‘Death’ as an alternative?!
PM: The death of the ‘General English’ resource we may be witnessing, but I’m not sure we should announce it in such blunt fashion.
Leslie: Moribund?
PM: ‘Moribund Advanced’ – hardly aspirational.
Bert: Depends
Bob: I’d say ‘moribund’ is advanced. Probably C2.
PM: Let’s get back to Life.
Leslie: Back to reality.
PM: ‘Reality’ – I like it…
Gerta: Reality has a kind of ‘Everyday English’ feel about it. People might be expecting authentic listening, real-world content…
PM: You’re right. Remember – this is a coursebook. No, I was thinking more that learning English is a ‘life’ process, what about other life processes…
Bob: Growth.
PM: ‘English Growth’ sounds like a book aimed at pharmacists. ‘Grow’ is good though.
Bob: Move, Respire, Sense…
Bert: Excrete.
PM: Excrete English. Sounds crap.
Leslie: Excrete English – for the verbal diarrhea you need.
PM: I… This isn’t working for me. Let’s think – what other books have sold well? Outcomes. English File. Speakout.
Bob: What about Speakeasy?
PM: I’m not sure we’ll reach all target markets with that. I feel like an imperative would work best. You know like that book Prepare! Let’s throw ideas out there… Go.
Bob: That’s a good one.
Leslie: Do!
Gerta: Learn!
Bob: Ponder.
Bert: Leave. Just leave, Leslie. If you’ve had enough then just go.
Leslie: Bert, Please.
PM: English, Please! Now that has a ring to it. It’s a British English book too… I can see it now. Red telephone boxes on the front, images of people celebrating a major sporting event…
Leslie: This strikes me as very dated.
PM: … And so is the General English coursebook. ‘English, Please!’ is certainly a contender.
Clive: Include.
PM: Include?!
Clive: Well, we had that workshop the other day didn’t we? The inclusion thingy.
Gerta: Diversify! Diversify as a multilingual by adding English to your linguistic repertoire!
PM: Hang on! You’re hitting a lot of buzzwords there. You know the rules – no deliberate attempts at winning ‘Team Meeting Buzzword Bingo’ by shoehorning in DEIJ-related vocabulary. Gerta, was that a genuine suggestion?
Gerta: … bingo.
Leslie: what about Live.
PM: Like, happening now?
Leslie: No. Live. Like… Breathe. Exist. Be.
PM: Live… If we were to call it just ‘Live’ then that has a certain ambiguity.
Bob: Just like Hats on Top.
PM: Okay, so just to recap. We’ve got Live, Grow, Go, Do, Ponder, Learn, Diversify, and Excrete.
Leslie: Please.
Categories: General, materials writing
ELT Planning 
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