Messages is a four-level course for lower-secondary students. Each level contains 6 modules of two units, each divided into 3 manageable 'steps'. Clear aims and outcomes for each step mean students can put what they learn into practice immediately. Each level of the course provides 80-90 hours of classwork with lots of recycling in regular four-page review sections. Level 1 assumes students have studied English at primary school, but gives full coverage of all basic language areas. The course takes students to an intermediate level by the end of level 4.