This picture-word method is divided into two stages:

I) Pre-communication activities
Because this language course and the textbook Stimu-Con Heart to Heart is designed for learners with a good knowledge of grammar and vocabulary, but who have not had an opportunity to put their English to practical use, the scenario (Scenes 1-16) and related exercises (Listening and Pronunciation Practice, Multiple Choice Exercise, Questions, and Summary) are an effective and convenient way of reviewing the linguistic system as well as providing new vocabulary and cultural information about the U.S.A. (At a lower level, the pre-communication activities would emphasize the linguistic system, unlike this course which is for false beginners who already have a good knowledge of the linguistic system and need only to review it.)

II) Communication activities
The focus is now on communication as it is generally understood. Basically, Stimu Con Heart to Heart has two types of communication activities:

1) The Pair Work exercises are model dialogues which have to be used by students to improvise their own conversations. These dialogues are not intended to be memorized. Rather, the purpose of these fluency in speech activities is to give students an opportunity to express - for as long as possible - their thoughts and emotions in spontaneous and meaningful interaction.