The practice of English language teaching

Longman ; New York : Distrib, 1991. Paperback. Good. In this new edition there is a new chapter on teaching vocabulary, a sectio n on discovery techniques, more on task-based learning and learner training , and a recognition of the change of perception about what communicative co mpetence might be. Many of the categories of communicative activities have been rearranged and there is a more detailed account of teacher roles, toge ther with a section on the use of the mother tongue. The sample lesson plan has been changed and the many examples from textbooks generally reflect th e materials now in use rather than those which were current when the first edition came out. The structure of "The Practice of English Language Teachi ng" remains essentially the same. In part A; Background, the author looks a t some of the theoretical concerns which influence the teaching of English as a foreign language. In part B, Practice, the author looks at study mater ials and techniques for teaching, and in part C, Management and Planning, h e looks at how classrooms and students can be organized and what is the bes t way to prepare for a lesson. The appendix on materials evaluation should help anyone who is in a position to select the textbook which the students are going to use. "The Practice of Language Teaching" deals specifically wi th the teaching of English as a foreign language (EFL). It is not focused e specially on English as a second language (ESL) although much of the contex t of the book can be applied to that slightly different teaching situation. The book is directed at the teaching of "general" English; the teaching of English for specific purposes (ESP) does not form a major part of the work.