Techniques and Principles in Language Teaching (Teaching Techniques in English as a Second Language) [Paperback]

Diane Larsen-Freeman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0194355748 | ISBN-13: 978-0194355742 | Publication Date: May 11, 2000 | Edition: 2

This book provides a practical overview of the most important methods in the field. Readers are drawn into classrooms where various teaching methods and approaches are being used. They are encouraged to reflect on their own beliefs and to develop their own approach to language teaching.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Diane Larsen-Freeman is a Professor of Education and Director of the English Language Institute at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She is also Distinguished Senior Faculty Fellow at the School for International Training in Brattleboro, Vermont. She has spoken and published widely on the topics of teacher education, second language acquisition, English grammar, and language teaching methodology. In 1997, Dr. Larsen-Freeman was inducted into the Vermont Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 1999, she was named one of the ESL pioneers by ESL Magazine. In 2000, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Heinle and Heinle Publishers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 2 edition (May 11, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0194355748
• ISBN-13: 978-0194355742
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #116,817 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

84 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A solid review of methods of language teaching, May 29, 2001

By 

Margo E DelliCarpini (Long Island, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Techniques and Principles in Language Teaching (Teaching Techniques in English as a Second Language) (Paperback)

I am an ESL teacher and I teach Methods and Materials of TESOL at the University Level and I am very pleased with this book. It is clearly written and the methods, from the Audio-Lingual Method to Content Based Instruction, are presented in a format that facilitates pre-service and in-service teachers' understanding of the theoretical background of language teaching, and the book provides relevant follow up activities that promote professional growth and allow the learner to apply what they have just learned. My students have given me very positive feedback about the chioce of this as one of the texts that we use, and they all say that they wish to keep the book on the shelves of their professional libraries.I refer to it frequently as both a professional in the feild and as a teacher educator.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid and Practical, December 10, 2007

By 

J. Marren "jtm497" (Glen Ridge, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Techniques and Principles in Language Teaching (Teaching Techniques in English as a Second Language) (Paperback)

Unlike many texts for educators, Larsen-Freeman's survey of the methodologies that can be used in ESL is concrete and practical. The book devotes a chapter to each technique, from Grammar/Translation to ALM to Communicative Language Learning. In each case the author describes a lesson in minute detail, breaks apart the pieces, and then examines the principles underlying the steps in the lesson. Larsen-Freeman's point, which I think every good teacher instinctively realizes, is that every method has something to recommend it, and the best approach is to have a cookbook of methods at one's disposal. In an individual class, with any individual student, it's hard to predict what the key to learning will be. This book is simple when explaining theory, and detailed when it comes to practice--a good combination for the working teacher.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A bit of history mixed with important techniques, June 30, 2006

By 

M. Dove - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Techniques and Principles in Language Teaching (Teaching Techniques in English as a Second Language) (Paperback)

The methodologies presented in the first six chapters are each a compendium of obsolete second language teaching techniques. The information is interesting but not valuable. In its later chapters, this book successfully describes common methods used in today's classroom. It is a fairly good reference book for beginning ESL teachers to have.