On the Air captures studentsŐ attention by using authentic and provocative radio programs from National Public Radio and WRKO, Boston. Subject matter ranges from an informal chat with television personality Roseanne to a lively discussion of parking in Tokyo to an interview with former President Jimmy Carter discussing his poetry."Each chapter prepares students to listen by providing background information and pre-listening activities such as dictations and thematic discussions. Follow-up activities check comprehension, build vocabulary, and provide experience with TOEFL-type listening tasks. "