Teaching English as a Foreign or Second Language: A Teacher Self-development and Methodology Guide

by Jerry G. Gebhard

In our times, international travel and extended living arrangements abroad have become almost a normal occurrence in the lives of many people, particularly the young and college educated. Many of these people, often with little training, find themselves with the opportunity to teach the English language to foreign students. After a short stint teaching EFL students in a foreign culture, once-confident English -language teachers often realize that some teacher training would have been useful.
This readable and creative new book by Jerry Gebhard is a textbook for the untrained ESL/EFL teacher. It is designed for use by self-motivated teachers who seek to maximize their potential as teachers and, in so doing, enhance the learning of their students. This guide stresses the multifaceted nature of teaching the English language to nonnative speakers and is based on the real experiences of teachers. It provides basic information that ESL teachers should know before they start teaching, as well as ideas on how language instructors can guide students in the skills of listening, conversation, reading, and writing.
Teaching English as a Foreign or Second Language is unique in that it emphasizes self-development as central to being an ESL/EFL teacher. A variety of self-development tasks are included. Each chapter is guided by a set of questions directly relevant to teaching, including advice on teaching problems. An appendix provides addresses, phone numbers and information on professional second/foreign language-teaching organizations, as well as a list of professional journals and publishing houses.
The author's practical and self-motivating philosophy is inviting to a wide audience: EFL teachers, teachers of teachers, and those who have found themselves in a position for which their training is incomplete. It is an excellent work for everyday use and will serve as a fine reference tool.

Genres: Nonfiction, Linguistics

296 pages, Paperback

First published January 10, 2006

Reviews

[Elizabeth Hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will answer a lot of questions that ESL teachers face. A very practical guide that provides a lot of basic teaching tips and techniques.

[Cheyenne Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful resource for ESL teachers with lots of information. It's one I can imagine myself referring back to in the future for random ideas and tips. Side note: I highly recommend actually taking a TESOL class not just reading this book but this is a great resource to add to the information learnt in class!

[Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

i would like to read this book

[Nenad Knezevic · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a good resource for absolute beginners, for ELT teachers who are at the very beginning of their practice. Others won't necessarily find much new information in it .

[Mohammed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book now I am studying it in the collage

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The methodology is cleanly outlined and straightforward. The self-development advice was superficial and annoying in most instances.

[Haider J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

[Vero]

Great book for teaching

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book. It gives a great overview of what an ESL teacher is/does as well as highlight some challenges you will face as a teacher. My favorite part though were the ending of each chapter and the references to resources for further development.

[Ria]

good