The Practice of English Language Teaching, New Edition (Longman Handbooks for Language Teachers) [Paperback]

Jeremy Harmer (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0582046564 | ISBN-13: 978-0582046566 | Publication Date: October 1991

In this new edition there is a new chapter on teaching vocabulary, a section on discovery techniques, more on task-based learning and learner training, and a recognition of the change of perception about what communicative competence might be. Many of the categories of communicative activities have been rearranged and there is a more detailed account of teacher roles, together 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 the materials now in use rather than those which were current when the first edition came out. The structure of "The Practice of English Language Teaching" remains essentially the same. In part A; Background, the author looks at some of the theoretical concerns which influence the teaching of English as a foreign language. In part B, Practice, the author looks at study materials and techniques for teaching, and in part C, Management and Planning, he looks at how classrooms and students can be organized and what is the best 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 with the teaching of English as a foreign language (EFL). It is not focused especially on English as a second language (ESL) although much of the context 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. An ELBS/LPBB edition is available.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The Third Edition of this ¿classic¿ text incorporates a broader and more detailed analysis of issues relevant to language teachers. The Practice of English Language Teaching is full of practical suggestions and samples from actual teaching materials.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Jeremy Harmer has taught in Mexico and the UK where he is currently an occasional lecturer at Anglia Polytechnic University. He has trained teachers and offered seminars all over the world. A writer of both course material and methodology, he is the author of methodology titles including How to Teach English (1998), The Practice of English Language Teaching (3rd edition 2001) and How to teach Writing (2004) - all published by Pearson Education Ltd. He is the General Editor of the Longman methodology list and hosts a teacher development website at http://www.eltforum.com/ --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Pearson P T R (October 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0582046564
• ISBN-13: 978-0582046566
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,880,748 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good guide to the principles of Teaching English, August 10, 2006

By 

N. Vachon - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Practice of English Language Teaching, 3rd Edition (Longman Handbooks for Language Teachers) (Paperback)

The Preface points out that the target audience of this book is postgraduate students, teachers in inservice training and practicing teachers. In other words people who have had some training in the past which they are now looking to put into practice. This is not my situation. I have none the less found the book to be very useful as a guide to the practical principles to be followed in Enlgish language teaching. Though it does not include very much in the way of sample activities or grammer rules, the principles the book discusses, if creativly applied, have the potential to offer a much more versitile range of activities then a collection straight forward lesson plans to follow or model after.
Admitedly I have not yet started teaching so I have not yet been able try it out.

26 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too theoretical to be useful. . ., March 8, 2005

By 

J. Marren "jtm497" (Glen Ridge, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Practice of English Language Teaching, 3rd Edition (Longman Handbooks for Language Teachers) (Paperback)

Harmer was one of the two recommended texts for my CELTA English as a Second Language course. I found it heavy going, long on theory, short on practical advice for the new ESL teacher. I much prefer Scrivener, "Learning Teaching." It's hard to find in the US, but worth the effort.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good resource for teachers, would-be teachers, May 17, 2007

By 

T. Coates (Thanh Hoa, Vietnam) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Practice of English Language Teaching, 3rd Edition (Longman Handbooks for Language Teachers) (Paperback)

For both soon-to-be and established teachers, Harmer's book is a good introduction to the research behind English language learning and thus the more effective ways of teaching. It is short on specific teaching ideas, but that isn't its point. He points out ways that people learn, what some of the difficulties of learning English are and how to work on specific areas. I've found the book very helpful in becoming a better, more knowledgeable EFL teacher.