Back Cover

Introduction to TESOL: Becoming a Language Teaching Professional presents an expansive and well-balanced view of both the interdisciplinary knowledge base and professional opportunities in the field of language teaching. Written to help aspiring TESOL educators learn how to begin their careers, this comprehensive textbook covers both the foundational professional and linguistic elements of TESOL as well as the practical evidence-based pedagogical aspects of the discipline. Written with the needs of introductory language and education students in mind, this book delves into the essentials of English as a Second Language (ESL) and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teaching, covering professional organizations, language acquisition theories, instructional practices, professional development, and more. Pedagogical features include clear descriptions of recent research and contemporary practices, numerous illustrations and examples highlighting key material, and engaging real-world vignettes from professionals teaching internationally. With attention focused on preparing teaching professionals to begin a career in TESOL, this valuable text also explores the history and development of the field, including the political, social, and cultural decisions made about language teaching and learning, and offers an outline of the profession with insights into ways to engage in professional organizations and develop expertise. Offering a coherent overview and contextualized orientation of the field of TESOL, this guide addresses the current state and potential future of TESOL with a view for new developments in teaching pedagogy and language research. Introduction to TESOL: Becoming a Language Teaching Professional is essential reading for teachers and educators planning to enter this dynamic and rewarding area of language teaching.

Flap

Introduction to TESOL: Becoming a Language Teaching Professional presents an expansive and well-balanced view of both the interdisciplinary knowledge base and professional opportunities in the field of language teaching. Written to help aspiring TESOL educators learn how to begin their careers, this comprehensive textbook covers both the foundational professional and linguistic elements of TESOL as well as the practical evidence-based pedagogical aspects of the discipline. Written with the needs of introductory language and education students in mind, this book delves into the essentials of English as a Second Language (ESL) and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teaching, covering professional organizations, language acquisition theories, instructional practices, professional development, and more. Pedagogical features include clear descriptions of recent research and contemporary practices, numerous illustrations and examples highlighting key material, and engaging real-world vignettes from professionals teaching internationally. With attention focused on preparing teaching professionals to begin a career in TESOL, this valuable text also explores the history and development of the field, including the political, social, and cultural decisions made about language teaching and learning, and offers an outline of the profession with insights into ways to engage in professional organizations and develop expertise. Offering a coherent overview and contextualized orientation of the field of TESOL, this guide addresses the current state and potential future of TESOL with a view for new developments in teaching pedagogy and language research. Introduction to TESOL: Becoming a Language Teaching Professional is essential reading for teachers and educators planning to enter this dynamic and rewarding area of language teaching.

Author Biography

Kate Mastruserio Reynolds is Professor of TESOL and Literacy at Central Washington University, USA. She has been in the field of TESOL since 1996 and has authored and edited numerous publications. Most recently, she was Associate Editor for the vocabulary volume of The TESOL Encyclopedia of English Language Teaching. Kenan Dikilitaº is Professor of University Pedagogy at University of Stavanger, Norway. His research interests include TESOL teacher development, action research, and bilingual education in monolingual contexts. He has co-authored various monographs and edited books, and published journal articles on these topics. Steve Close teaches English Literature, Composition, and Communications at Big Bend Community College, USA. He has taught university students in Ukraine and Uzbekistan. His research interests include vernacular English as a tool in the teaching of writing and multicultural studies.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix Introduction 1 Part One: The Field of TESOL 3 1 What Is TESOL? 5 2 How Is TESOL an Academic Profession? 26 3 With Whom and Where Do Those Prepared in TESOL Work? 51 Part Two: TESOL Professionals' Knowledge of Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition 89 4 What Are the Five Areas of Linguistics and How Do They Help TESOL Educators? Why Do TESOL Educators Need a Working Understanding of Linguistics? 91 5 What Are the Various Areas of Second Language Acquisition Theory and How Do They Guide Instruction? 118 Part Three: TESOL Professionals' Knowledge of Instruction, Planning, and Assessment 145 6 How Does Theory Inform and Guide Instructional Practice? 147 7 What Do Educators Need to Know About Teaching the Language Skills of Listening and Reading When Using Integrated Language Skills? 169 8 How Do TESOL Educators Teach Speaking and Writing in Integrated Language Instruction? 195 9 Tools: Grammar, Vocabulary, Pronunciation, and Spelling 226 10 What Themes, Topics, and Content Can I Employ? 267 11 How Has Digital Technology Changed Language Teaching and Learning? 287 12 What Are Ways of Planning for Second Language Instruction and Assessing Learning? 306 Part Four: Where Do We Go From Here? 337 13 How Does TESOL Develop Its Body of Knowledge and Share Professional Knowledge? 339 14 What Are the Current Situations in TESOL and New Directions To Be Taken? 360 Acronyms in TESOL/Applied Linguistics 372 Index 375

Review

"The book is well-written and engaging, and one can easily imagine that first-year university students would find the manuscript to be refreshingly approachable compared to the dry, theoretically focused tomes which are so common in our field." - LINGUIST List 33.2059, June 2022

"It will be a useful study and reference material for beginning educators hoping to gain a comprehensive overview of TESOL, as well as experienced educators who would like to refresh their perspectives and keep themselves updated on new knowledge and developments." – System, Volume 108, August 2022, 102859  

Review Text

"The book is well-written and engaging, and one can easily imagine that first-year university students would find the manuscript to be refreshingly approachable compared to the dry, theoretically focused tomes which are so common in our field." - LINGUIST List 33.2059 , June 2022

Review Quote

"The book is well-written and engaging, and one can easily imagine that first-year university students would find the manuscript to be refreshingly approachable compared to the dry, theoretically focused tomes which are so common in our field." - LINGUIST List 33.2059 , June 2022 "It will be a useful study and reference material for beginning educators hoping to gain a comprehensive overview of TESOL, as well as experienced educators who would like to refresh their perspectives and keep themselves updated on new knowledge and developments." - System , Volume 108, August 2022, 102859

Details