Teacher's Handbook: Contextualized Language Instruction [Paperback]

Judith L. Shrum (Author), Eileen W. Glisan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1993 | ISBN-10: 0838440614 | ISBN-13: 978-0838440612 | Edition: 1

The practical applications of the most recent language teaching theory is the focus of this text. Students examine and apply theory through observational episodes microteaching situations and case studies (in both foreign languages and ESL) and ultimately develop their own approaches to teaching. Teacher's Handbook also serves as a highly useful reference for both pre- and in-service instructors. It includes a resource section with sources of free materials sample lesson plans teaching evaluation forms and more.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The major strength of Teacher's Handbook is that it provides an appropriate balance between theory and practice. Foreign language teachers need to understand the theoretical foundations of language acquisition, AND see how theories associated with language teaching and learning translate into practice in realworld settings. The text presents important concepts, principles, standards, appraoches etc. in a format that can be easily understood and internalized. There are numerous concrete examples (e.g. Teach and Reflect; Chapter Case Studies; Chapter Figures and Tables) that illustrate practical applications. Additionally, the text covers the four skills (speaking, writing, listening comprehension, and reading) and culture in an integrated way. I consider Teacher's Handbook to be a foundational text for students; a text that provides a theoretical and practical foundation upon which language teachers (present and future) will continue to build through research, teaching experience, and self-reflection and analysis. The text is particularly beneficial for pre-service foreign language teachers. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Eileen W. Glisan holds P.h.D. and M.A. degrees in Spanish Applied Linguistics/Teaching Methodology from the University of Pittsburgh.

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Heinle & Heinle Pub; 1 edition (January 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0838440614
• ISBN-13: 978-0838440612
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,474,660 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Theoretically a Good Book, August 9, 2007

By 

Lynn C. Hazen (Gainesville, Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Teacher's Handbook: Contextualized Language Instruction (Paperback)

I read this book in a teacher's book study. Although it certainly addressed all of the current philosophies of language learning, inclusion,contextualizing, giving detailed feedback, etc., the main thing I remember from that book study is how glad I was not to be still in graduate school having to read things like this regularly. It was heavy on theory and short on practical, usable suggestions for the actual teacher having to deal with discipline issues, keeping the kids entertained and motivated, and coping with paperwork while instructing. The prose was dense and unapproachable. I can see that a lot of effort was put into the book, but I hope any future editions will take the practicing teacher into account. It takes a lot of time and effort to put together a stimulating language class. Reading this book took more time than it was worth in terms of practical information.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for both novice and veteran teachers, August 19, 2007

By 

Peter Floyd (Charlotte, NC, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Teacher's Handbook: Contextualized Language Instruction (Paperback)

As someone who has taught foreign languages for 20 years and headed up a university foreign language department for nine years, I suspected I had fallen into ruts and needed a fresh overview of current theory and practice. The book met my needs perfectly. In fact, I will be rereading it. Highly recommended.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From a current student studying to teach Spanish, March 12, 2010

By 

Raymond McCue - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Teacher's Handbook: Contextualized Language Instruction (Paperback)

I've seen a good bit of teaching now--with all the observation, assisting, and tutoring that my college has had me doing--and I have to say when I see something going wrong now, I'm able to come back to the theories from this textbook and pinpoint exactly what's lacking in that classroom.

Being recently graduated from high school, I had a number of ideas about language instruction and where it was lacking. The theorists from this book take small ideas that I had and stretch them miles further than I ever would have on my own. Chapter 1 is enough to take all the preconceptions you've ever had about language teaching and turn them upside-down.

In short, I'm so glad that my methods of teaching language class uses this textbook!