Pathways is a dual skills course that can be taught in parallel or as individual strands - Reading and Writing, and Listening and Speaking - and topics and language complement and mirror each other. Students benefit from a targeted skills syllabus where they can really develop, not just practice, the skills they will need for effective use of language. Pathways particularly lends itself to academic learners of English, with the topics and language input texts taken from a more academic context. In addition, the strong critical thinking element present in both strands encourages and stimulates the "higher order" thinking skills and the students" ability to evaluate, analyse, and synthesise information from a wide range of sources. Meaningful and authentic content from National Geographic stimulates creates the perfect environment for this and stimulates learners" curiosity and participation.