Modules in the Routledge E-Modules on Contemporary Language Teaching series are short, easily accessible introductions to a variety of issues that form the foundation of language-teacher knowledge and practice: the nature of language and communication, second language acquisition, interactive tasks, assessment, focus on form, vocabulary development, technology in language teaching, among many others.
Each module serves as a self-contained unit to be used on its own or as part of an introductory course on language teaching. Instructors may “mix and match” modules to create their own readings for a course on language teaching. The modules may serve as primary reading or as supplemental reading, with each module offering points of reflection, discussion questions, self-quizzes, and a reading list for those who wish to delve further into the topic.
To purchase the eBook versions of these modules and view module summaries, please visit the series companion website: www.routledgetextbooks.com/textbooks/9781315679594/
By Gregory D. Keating
July 01, 2021
Starting from the premise that language instruction should be informed by how humans learn language, this module on second language acquisition (SLA) aims to provide teachers at any level with a comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to the key findings about how second languages are learned in ...
By Karen Lichtman
May 31, 2018
This module introduces Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS), an input-based language teaching method. TPRS provides a framework for teaching classes completely in the target language—even those at the beginner level. Through the steps of establishing meaning, creating a ...
By Bill VanPatten
August 21, 2017
In this module on communication, the reader explores the nature and consequences of a particular definition of communication: the expression and interpretation of meaning in a given context. Special attention is given to context (i.e., physical setting, participants, purpose of communication) and ...
By Wynne Wong, Daphnée Simard
August 21, 2017
This module on focusing on form in language instruction provides novice and experienced instructors with pedagogical techniques to help second language learners acquire formal elements of an L2. Taking the position that the development of a linguistic representation requires input, the pedagogical ...
By Michael J. Leeser, Justin P. White
August 21, 2017
This module on interactive tasks provides teachers with an overview of the nature of communication and explores the ways in which interactive tasks can promote communicative exchanges among students and teachers. The module provides guidelines for developing tasks, along with examples and options ...
By Bill VanPatten
August 21, 2017
This module on the nature of language aims to provide the novice and even experienced teacher with a broad and accessible picture of language as a formal system. As such, it covers topics such as the nature of words, sounds, and syntax. The module places particular emphasis on the abstract and ...
By Charlene Polio
August 21, 2017
This module explores the purposes of and methods for teaching second language writing. Engaging and accessible, Teaching Second Language Writing is organized into three sections that mainly focus on activities, approaches, and real-life writing tasks and genres that are the most applicable and ...
By Bryan Smith
August 21, 2017
This module on technology in language learning provides novice and experienced second and foreign language (L2) teachers alike with an introduction to the field of computer-assisted language learning (CALL). The module first provides a historical overview of the field and then explores the most ...
By Joe Barcroft
August 21, 2017
This module focuses on the pivotal role of vocabulary in language acquisition, communication, and instruction. It first reviews the nature of vocabulary knowledge, the mental lexicon, and different contexts of vocabulary learning. It then explains how we acquire vocabulary and refine vocabulary ...
By Roy Lyster
June 29, 2017
This module explores the content-driven approach to language teaching, or the teaching of nonlinguistic content such as geography, history, or science using the target language. It lays out effective techniques that help facilitate students’ comprehension of curricular content and also discusses ...