Dogme in Practice: Classroom Reflections by Fellow Teachers

by Scott Thornbury, Luke Meddings, Christopher Walker (Contributor)

What if you could step away from the textbook, the syllabus, and the rigid lesson plan—and instead co-create meaningful learning experiences with your students? Dogme in Practice invites you into a world where language is emergent, learner-centered, and built around authentic communication.

Inspired by Scott Thornbury’s influential article “A Dogma for EFL” (2000), the Dogme approach has resonated with teachers around the world who are seeking more responsive, materials-light ways to engage learners. This book brings together reflections from educators who have tried Dogme in diverse contexts—ranging from young learners to adults, from university classrooms to online learning spaces, across both ESL and EFL environments.

Inside, you’ll

Practical examples of how teachers have implemented Dogme in real classroomsReflections on the opportunities and challenges of teaching “unplugged”Thoughtful commentary from Scott Thornbury and Luke Meddings, co-authors of Teaching UnpluggedWhether you’re new to Dogme or already teaching in ways that echo its principles, this book offers both inspiration and grounded insights to support your journey.

328 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2025

About the author

My name is Scott Thornbury. I'm a teacher and teacher educator, with over 30 years' experience in English language teaching, and an MA from the University of Reading. I am currently Associate Professor of English Language Studies at the New School in New York, where I teach on an on-line MA TESOL program. My previous experience includes teaching and teacher training in Egypt, UK, Spain (where I live), and in my native New Zealand. My writing credits include several award-winning books for teachers on language and methodology. I am series editor for the Cambridge Handbooks for Teachers (CUP). I was also the co-founder of the dogme ELT group.

Reviews

[Truusje · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great collection of teacher experiences with Dogme. I've been feeling a little burnt out with my teaching but this book re-energized me. Looking forward to trying some of these ideas.