David Nunan

Written by eminent linguist David Nunan, this concise text immerses readers in the complex, curious and continually evolving phenomenon that is at the centre of everything we do: language. It can be fascinating, puzzling and entertaining – and sometimes all of these at the same time. Featuring entertaining anecdotes and interesting examples throughout, this book introduces readers to the foundations of language, namely its sounds, words and grammar, before illustrating how language is used in different ways in a variety of contexts. Fully updated and revised for the second edition, it covers a wide range of topics, including language variation and culture, second language acquisition and bilingualism. Students, teachers and non-specialists alike will enjoy this engaging and 'un-put-down-able' introduction to language and linguistics. Assuming no prior knowledge of applied or theoretical linguistics, it will appeal to anyone with an interest in language. New to this Edition: - Illustrated with examples taken from a range of different languages - New content on language and culture, language variation, second language acquisition, bilingualism and the impact of globalization on language use

What Is This Thing Called Language?

Clarice Lamb

Advances in second language teaching methodology, including new emphases on communicative language teaching and learner-centeredness, have significantly changed the roles teachers play in the classroom, making ever greater demands upon their classroom management skills. For Nunan and Lamb, "management" refers to the planning and creation of a positive pedagogical environment which facilitates learning. They focus on the kinds of professional decisions teachers must make to ensure that learning takes place effectively. The ultimate aim of the book is to help teachers and teachers-in-preparation become "self-directed" by providing them with the knowledge and skills needed to take effective control of the teaching and learning processes in their classrooms. The Self-directed Teacher prepares teachers to make independent decisions in key areas such as lesson planning, teacher talk, group work, error correction, resource management, and evaluation. The text uses a task-based approach, and the material presented is well supported by theory and research.

Managing the Learning Process

The Self-Directed Teacher

Professor David Nunan

This book is for anyone interested in experimenting with alternative ways of organising teaching and learning.

Collaborative Language Learning and Teaching

Colin Barron

Nigel Bruce

Knowledge and Discourse presents an ecological approach to the study of discourse in social, academic and professional practices. It brings together distinguished scholars from diverse cultures - India, China, Australia, Canada among others - and disciplines - linguistics, anthropology, sociology, philosophy. The chapters collectively illustrate the ecological approach by exploring how language makes connections between subjective experiences as people construct meaning and action. This book offers the reader a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to the study of language as discourse, questioning traditional views of disciplinary knowledge and the role of discourse in the pursuit, construction and compartmentalisation of such knowledge. Through the variety of disciplines, experiences and approaches, the contributors show how the world and word are contingent on each other. The notions of connectivity, contingency and change are themes that run through the book, and in the interweaving of these themes readers will find persuasive illustrations of an ecological approach to applied linguistics.

Towards an Ecology of Language

Knowledge and Discourse

Knowledge & Discourse

Jack C. Richards

This volume presents case studies of language learning beyond the classroom. The studies draw on a wide range of contexts, from North and South America to Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Each provides principled links between theory, research and practice. While out-of-class learning will not replace the classroom, ultimately all successful learners take control of their own learning. This book shows how teachers can help learners bridge the gap between formal instruction and autonomous language learning. Although English is the primary focus of most chapters, there are studies on a range of other languages including Spanish and Japanese.

Language Learning Beyond the Classroom

David Nunan’s dynamic learner-centered teaching style has informed and inspired countless TESOL educators around the world. In this fresh, straightforward introduction to teaching English to speakers of other languages he presents teaching techniques and procedures along with the underlying theory and principles. Complex theories and research studies are explained in a clear and comprehensible, yet non-trivial, manner without trivializing them. Practical examples of how to develop teaching materials and tasks from sound principles provide rich illustrations of theoretical constructs. The content is presented through a lively variety of different textual genres including classroom vignettes showing language teaching in action, question and answer sessions, and opportunities to ‘eavesdrop’ on small group discussions among teachers and teachers in preparation. Readers get involved through engaging, interactive pedagogical features and opportunities for reflection and personal application. Each chapter follows the same format so that readers know what to expect as they work through the text. Key terms are defined in a Glossary at the end of the book. David Nunan’s own reflections and commentaries throughout enrich the direct, up-close style of the text.

An Introduction

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

This book looks at the curriculum from a teacher's perspective and reports on what instructors focus on in planning, implementing, and evaluating language courses.

A Study in Second Language Teaching

The Learner-Centred Curriculum

Hayo Reinders

Bin Zou

This book evaluates the origins of processes of change in language teaching in China, and the factors influencing their success. Examining diverse experiences and drawing on the perspectives of academics from the top institutions in the country, the authors analyse the complex interplay between global and local influences on language policies. Encouraging discussion of the significant education reforms that have taken place in China in recent years, this work will be of interest to students and scholars of language education, English as a Second Language and applied linguistics.

The Case of China

Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching

Julie Choi

This state-of-the-art exploration of language, culture, and identity is orchestrated through prominent scholars’ and teachers’ narratives, each weaving together three elements: a personal account based on one or more memorable or critical incidents that occurred in the course of learning or using a second or foreign language; an interpretation of the incidents highlighting their impact in terms of culture, identity, and language; the connections between the experiences and observations of the author and existing literature on language, culture and identity. What makes this book stand out is the way in which authors meld traditional ‘academic’ approaches to inquiry with their own personalized voices. This opens a window on different ways of viewing and doing research in Applied Linguistics and TESOL. What gives the book its power is the compelling nature of the narratives themselves. Telling stories is a fundamental way of representing and making sense of the human condition. These stories unpack, in an accessible but rigorous fashion, complex socio-cultural constructs of culture, identity, the self and other, and reflexivity, and offer a way into these constructs for teachers, teachers in preparation and neophyte researchers. Contributors from around the world give the book broad and international appeal.

Reflective Narratives and the Emergence of Identity

Language and Culture

Second Language Teaching and Learning is a practical guide to the methodology of task-based language instruction. Replete with illustrative scenarios and topics for discussion and writing, this professional title provides the pedagogical overview that ESL/EFL teachers need to teach with Atlas, Go For It!, Listen In, and Expressions!

Second Language Teaching & Learning

Caroline Linse

Practical English Language Teaching offers a thorough yet practical overview of language teaching methodology for teachers and teachers in preparation. The principles outlined in each chapter are richly illustrated with vignettes and extracts from real classrooms so the reader can see what the principles "look like" when realized in classroom teaching. The book is divided into three sections: Exploring Skills, Exploring Language, and Supporting the Learning Process. FEATURES: Critical areas of language teaching are comprehensively addressed with a specific focus on practical techniques, strategies, and tips. World-class specialists like Neil Andersen, Kathleen M. Bailey, Mary Ann Christison, and David Nunan offer a variety of perspectives on language teaching and the learning process. Reflection questions invite readers to think about critical issues in language teaching while Action tasks outline strategies for putting new techniques into practice. Thoughtful suggestions for books, articles, and Web sites offer resources for additional, up-to-date information. Expansive glossary offers short and straightforward definitions of core language teaching terms. This is the PELT Young Learners text.

Practical English Language Teaching: PELT Young Learners

While Designing Tasks underpins this new title, the material has been thoroughly updated and includes four new chapters.

Task-Based Language Teaching

Practical English Language Teaching offers a thorough, yet practical overview of language-teaching strategies and methodology for newer teachers seeking background and guidance, and for experienced professionals looking for refreshing new ideas. The book provides an overall introduction to key aspects of language-teaching methodology in an accessible, non-trivial way.

Practical English Language Teaching PELT Text

An introduction to research methods intended to help readers understand and evaluate research in language learning, this book presents a balanced, accessible view of a range of methods including:" formal experiments" introspective methods (including diaries, logs, journals, and stimulated recall" interaction and transcript analysis" case studiesIt emphasises the value to language teachers of reading published research, as well as initiating their own research. After completing the tasks and exercises in each chapter, readers should acquire sufficient skills and knowledge to formulate research questions, collect relevant data, analyse and interpret it, and report the results to others.

Research Methods in Language Learning

Demonstrates the principles involved in planning and designing an effective syllabus. This book examines important concepts, such as needs analysis, goal-setting, and content specification, and serves as a useful introduction for teachers who want to gain an understanding of syllabus design in order to modify the syllabuses with which they work.

Syllabus Design

This carefully crafted collection provides a snapshot of the evolution of David Nunan‘stheoretical and empirical contributions to the field of second language education over the last 40 years. The volume focuses on the development of his work on second language curricula, and in particular, the work for which he is best known: learner-centered education and task-based learning and teaching. David Nunan has been a language teacher, researcher and consultant for 40 years. He has lived and worked in many countries, principally in the Asia-Pacific region, but also in the Americas, Europe and the Middle-East. In addition to his research and scholarly work, he is the author of several major textbook series for the teaching and learning of English as a foreign Language. These texts are based on his task-based language teaching approach, and are widely used in schools, school systems and universities around the world.

The Selected Works of David Nunan

Learner-centered English Language Education

Four-level program to motivate learners to communicate accurately and creatively through a step-by-step series of language-building tasks.

Go for It!

-- Develops language skills through a series of interrelated tasks Language goals at the beginning of each unit -- High-interest, authentic listening and reading -- Cognitive, communicative, and social learning strategies -- Opportunities for review and self-checks -- Entertaining Videos featuring authentic interviews -- Video Guides with teaching strategies and reproducible masters -- Placement and achievement tests

David Nunan

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