Ensayos recopilados, publicados anteriormente.

Incluye referencia bibliográfica. (p. 221-230).

Introduction.--PART ONE Pedagogic and academic articles--A critical look at the Communicative Approach.--A critical look at the Communicative Approach.--Where is the language going?.--The textbook: bridge or wall?.--Design criteria for pedagogic language rules.--Language teaching is teaching language.--The influence of the mother tongue on second language vocabulary acquisition and use.--Legislation by hypothesis: the case of task-based instruction.--Chunks in the classroom: let's not go overboard.--English teaching in the nineteen-sixties and seventies.--Teaching grammar-does grammar teaching work?
Two out of three ain't enough: the essential ingredients of a language course.--History is not what happened: the case of contrastive analysis A follow-up to Claire Kramsch's review of Linguistics across Cultures.--Grammar, meaning and pragmatics: sorting out the muddle.--Talking sense about learning strategies.--We do need methods.

MICHAEL SWAN is one of the world's most influential figures in the field of language teaching. This book brings together, for the first time, a selection of his best known and most widely cited articles in a single volume. The articles usually begin with a short introduction by the author, explaining the context in which he originally wrote it. Consequently, the articles not only address topics that remain highly relevant to language teachers today, but also provide a historical perspective on developments within the field. The selection ends with some examples of his less serious - but no less widely appreciated - satirical observations on the world of language teaching theory and practice.
This collection offers a uniquely personal view of trends and controversies within language teaching that will appeal to experienced practitioners and newcomers alike.
Michael Swan has written or co-authored numerous books and articles for both teachers and students in areas relating to applied linguistics, the English language, and language teaching, including The Cambridge English Course, Practical English Usage, and The Oxford English Grammar Course. From 2002 to 2008 he was Visiting Professor of Applied Linguistics at St Mary's University College, Twickenham.