Customer Reviews

Teaching by Principles, Second Edition

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I use this book at a English methodology course at a university. The words and structures of each chapter are so easy that even non-native speaker of English can understand the content of the book well. I strongly recommend this book to non-native teachers of English like me.

I was shocked to read Dr. Pennington Jr use the following as the title for his book review: "A text written in everyday English." This is precisely what H. Douglas Brown's Teaching by Principles (Second Edition) is not!

Here are two examples from Mr. Brown's text which illustrate what I mean. Consider first his "everyday" definition of cheating: "a surreptitious violation of standards of individualized responses to tests or other exercises." Next, take a gander at how he describes group-work: "a generic term covering a multiplicity of techniques in which two or more students are assigned to a task that involves collaboration and self-initiated language." This type of jargon might impress some, but it's not everyday English and it defeats the chief purpose of language: to communicate! Additionally, it overturns Mr. Brown's assertion in another part of the book: "do not overwhelm students with linguistic terminology." Perhaps if Mr. Brown were to practice what he preaches, we might take him more seriously.

I teach TESL in Toronto, Canada, and I have no choice: I must use this book with my classes. I'm constantly trying to help my students by translating Mr. Brown's words into everyday English. Teaching by Principles is short on specifics and sufficient examples, and in my opinion is just as "immensely dry, convoluted and tedious" as all the other texts in this genre which Dr. Pennington alluded to in his review.

Sorry, but this is one frustrating book to read and from which to teach.

the book is useful, and offers some practical information on its subject. much of the information is helpful for the novice teacher I just said this book is better than PLLT not the best one. when I was a university student I hate PLLT class because I was taught useless things, i'm not complain about my teacher but subject. I just need more practical exam.