Linguistics for TESOL

This textbook proposes a theoretical approach to linguistics in relation to teaching English. Combining research with practical classroom strategies and activities, it aims to satisfy the needs of new and experienced TESOL practitioners, helping them to understand the features of the English language and how those features impact on students in the classroom. The author provides a toolkit of strategies and practical teaching ideas to inspire and support practitioners in the classroom, encouraging reflection through regular stop-and-think tasks, so that practitioners have the opportunity to deepen their understanding and relate it to their own experience and practice. This book will appeal to students and practitioners in the fields of applied linguistics, TESOL, EAL, English language and linguistics, EAP, and business English.

“Valenzuela’s book is strong in almost every way. … And yet, despite how packed and intelligent the volume is, it is very readable. … The book is therefore light in tone, accessible, even engaging. All of these qualities would make it an effective text for teacher educators as a basis for training, and a good resource for those teachers themselves wanting a comprehensible treatment of key concepts. There is more. The work is current.” (Bill Nelson, ELTED, English Language Teacher Education and Development, Vol. 24, 2021)

“The volume succeeds in building bridges between linguistics and TESOL so that teachers can make linguistics-informed decisions concerning their teaching practice. … I highly recommend this book to novice and experienced teachers as well as tutors in TESOL programmes who teach linguistics-oriented modules.” (Darío Luis Banegas, RELC Journal, August 24, 2020)

“This book is informed through significant research and debate, yet skillfully develops rapport with both teachers and students of the discipline. It imbues the reader with the author’s evident expertise as both TESOL practitioner and Teacher Training educator, with a vast compilation of practical activities, reflection tasks, and vignettes of real language used in oral and written contexts.” (Vicky Collins, EAP Lecturer, University of Reading, UK)

“The book is a rare and well balanced mixture of the theory of linguistics and its practical uses. Its fun and easily applicable activities bring to life concepts otherwise dull and sometimes even obscure, making both ESL/EFL teachers and students appreciate English learning for real life. Ms. Valenzuela has provided all of us involved in the TEFL/TESOL world with a ready-to-use tool that will brighten up our teaching and highly motivate our students.” (María Fernanda Díaz, Freelance ELT professional, Ecuador)

“Linguistics for TESOL: Theory and Practice tackles the common problem that TESOL/TEFL/AL students have rarely been previously taught much about language itself. It presents contemporary issues about language and English in a straightforward, balanced way with a light readable touch, the author’s teacher personality coming across engagingly. It provides useful training exercises linking practically to the classroom. I would certainly use it with my classes.” (Vivian Cook, Newcastle University, UK)

“This very engaging book brings a practitioner's viewpoint to bear on those issues in applied linguistics that impact on the teaching of English. Informed by the writer's extensive knowledge of recent developments in such fields as phonology, semantics, and sociolinguistics, and enlivened with her own experience as a teacher and teacher educator, the book effectively bridges the theory-practice divide, and would make a very accessible introductory text for teachers entering the field, or, for more experienced teachers, an effective means of extending and deepening their professional knowledge base.” (Scott Thornbury, The New School, USA)

“All too often there is a schism between academic research and teachers’ practice. Hannah Valenzuela’s book does an excellent job of bridging that gap - bravo! She has done this by employing an accessible writing style, providing relatable examples to support her theories, and through the practical structure and design of the book itself. I am sure this book will be appreciated by teachers engaged in every imaginable global context.” (Katherine Bilsborough, freelance ELT author, Spain) 

“With its friendly and accessible approach which integrates linguistics content with reflective tasks and practical classroom activities, Hannah Valenzuela provides a fresh and up-to-date take on core areas of knowledge essential for language teachers. The book will be an invaluable resource for both pre and in-serviceTESOL training courses.” (Fiona English, University College London, UK)

“This is a welcome and much needed resource for EFL teachers.  The explanations are clear and the examples provided are relatable and draw on a variety of international teaching and learning experiences.  The reflection activities are considered and will support the reader in developing an understanding of how the English language works.  Terminology is clearly defined in a way which never talks down to the reader.  This book bridges the gap between books which focus on teaching practice and those which focus on linguistics. I will be using this book with my undergraduate TESOL students.” (Susan Sheehan, University of Huddersfield, UK)

“The book is an important contribution, inviting understandings of TESOL beyond simply classroom practice. Through real-life examples, Valenzuela critiques key theoretical notions associated with TESOL and engages in important questions about the socio-politically situated nature and scope of the English language. The book also offers class activities which draw attention to the existence of these notions in everyday life and in teaching. It is therefore a must read for anyone wishing to engage with or challenge them.” (Aneta Hayes, Keele University, UK)

“This accessible and engaging book will be taking its place on our BA TESOL reading list. It provides the developing TESOL practitioner with a comprehensive grounding in how the English language works, while engaging with current debates around the position of English in the world. Through case studies and key questions to consider, the reader is placed firmly at its centre.” (Rachel Terry, University of Huddersfield, UK)

Hannah Valenzuela is Senior Lecturer at the University of Derby, UK where she leads the TESOL pathway of the BA (Hons) Education Studies programme. She has been a languages teaching professional for over twenty years. After many years living and working abroad as an English language teacher and teacher trainer, she returned to the UK and spent eight years teaching Spanish and French. She has carried out research into evidence-based languages teaching methodology, and is currently researching EAL provision and policy in secondary education.