Reflective Language Teaching

by Thomas S.C. Farrell

The need for ongoing teacher development has been a recurring theme in the field of TESOL in recent years. Not everything a language teacher needs to know can be provided at the pre-service level, and the knowledge base of teaching is constantly changing. Based on cutting-edge research illustrated through case studies, this book outlines strategies for professional development through reflective practice in the language classroom. Accessible and comprehensive, the book presupposes no prior knowledge of linguistics or language teaching, and each chapter includes reflective discussion questions to help the reader apply the strategies and procedures discussed.  This book will be invaluable to postgraduate students of TESOL and applied linguistics, and in-service language teachers.

210 pages, Paperback

First published January 6, 2008

Reviews

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clean, clear text and a no-nonsense straight-forward approach makes the theory and practice of reflective language teaching seem normal and natural in this lucid introduction to the topic.
There are frequent typos, and to my mind an overly-emphasised distinction between native-speaker and multi-lingual language teachers, but these are only minor complaints.
Reflection has probably been a part of good teaching for a long time but has recently gained its own nomenclature and body of research. Farrell's book is packed with practical tools and techniques for research, collaboration and reflection and copious cases and examples from practice which enable even the novice teacher to grasp the importance to all teachers of this basic outlook on the profession.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to read for Methods class--presenting next week--I hope that when I teach I will have time to do the exercises listed here, because they are very good!