Oxford Applied Linguistics: A History of English Language Teaching [Paperback]

A.P.R. Howatt (Author), H.G. Widdowson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0194421856 | ISBN-13: 978-0194421850 | Publication Date: October 28, 2004 | Edition: 2nd

This revised and updated history covers the Renaissance to the present day, covering all the important phases of the history of English language teaching from a global perspective.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'..It's a stunning read...If I were pressed to draw up a list of ten ELT titles with which to spend a year on a desert island this one would easily some into my top three.' - Wayne Trotman, EL Gazette, January 2005

'The volume remains the single most authoritative and comprehensive account of the history of English language teaching, and will surely continue to serve as a prime source for the profession for many years to come...This is a work of considerable research and scholarship characterized by rigour and balance, comprehensive yet uncluttered.' - Rani Rubdy, Director of Graduate Programmes, Institute for English Language Education, Assumption University, Bangkok.

'I found this book extremely readable...This book is fascinating, packed with human interest stories about the people who shaped our profession, while at the same time giving a clear explanation of the theoretical perspectives that inspired them.' - IATEFL Issues, February/March 2005

'To sum up, this fine book should be required reading for all members of the profession, if by profession, we include all the personages and movements that have made us what we are.' - BAAL Reviews, 2005

About the Author

A.P.R. Howatt has retired as Senior Lecturer in Applied Linguistics at the University of Edinburgh, of which he is a graduate. Professor Henry Widdowson is an internationally acclaimed authority in applied linguistics and language teaching. His many books, articles, and lectures have been seminal in establishing both the field of applied linguistics and its mode of enquiry.

Product Details

• Paperback: 417 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 2nd edition (October 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0194421856
• ISBN-13: 978-0194421850
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,009,607 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A grand sweep through English language teaching history, January 6, 2012

By 

Alan Broomhead (Boston, MA, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Oxford Applied Linguistics: A History of English Language Teaching (Paperback)

A History of English Language Teaching is a remarkable book that traces its subject all the way from the 14th century to the present day, offering a grand sweep through the major trends and events in English language description and teaching, as well as an impressive level of detail on some of the individuals that have shaped this history, and their methods and materials. While Howatt does a fine job of providing the social and political and social context for English teaching - such as the influx of French protestants into England in the 16th century, and the teaching of English in the British empire and in Europe - of greatest interest to teachers (if any get around to picking up this book, which seems doubtful) is the evolution of trends in language teaching from the 19th century on. The story of how the 19th century grammar-translation method eventually gave way to the direct method, is fascinating, and illustrates how much of 20th century English language teaching orthodoxy (such as the exile of the first language from the classroom) came about. Chapters focusing on the work of luminaries such as Harold Palmer and A.S. Hornby show how approaches emphasizing oral skills or structures have become folded (or not) into the repertoire of modern English language teachers. Happily, the tragi-comic story of Gouin's attempts to learn German are retained in this second edition.

The book belongs to the Oxford Applied Linguistics series, a series which was spearheaded for several years by Henry Widdowson. The work of the authors in this series, though covering a vast array of topics from language play to linguistic imperialism, English as a lingua franca, and translation in language teaching, nevertheless adds up to a cohesive 'world view' of language teaching and learning, undergirded in large part by Henry Widdowson himself. In the final chapter of A History of English Language Teaching, written for this second edition by Widdowson, he draws on much of the work of the authors of this series, such as Guy Cook, Barbara Seidlhofer, and Robert Phillipson, to present a (typically) modestly titled "Perspective on Recent Trends," which any English language professional would benefit from reading. It is an impressive 'state of the field' essay in which Widdowson ties together English for specific purposes, corpus linguistics, English as a lingua franca and as a global language, localization of decision-making, and various other topics into a unified 'world view.' Like all of Widdowson's writing, it is (if you are interested in these things) an engrossing read, and confirms - if any confirmation were needed - Henry Widdowson as the modern-day philosopher of our profession.

Though parts of A History of English Language Teaching require some sweat and toil (or perhaps some skimming), ultimately it's a satisfying book that can show how those of us in the profession today fit into the grand scheme of things, and gives some direction as to where the field is headed. Its main weakness is its anglocentrism (references to 'this country' and 'the government' need to be interpreted accordingly), and developments in the US, while covered, are not given as much attention as those arising in Britain. But this is a quibble; it is 'a' history, not 'the' history, and as such provides an effective and rewarding summation of a very human activity that has grown into a worldwide profession. The small number of us that read it will be enriched.