Scott Thornbury

Scott Thornbury is a New Zealand-born linguist and educator who has significantly influenced English language teaching methodology since the 1980s. He is particularly known for his work on teaching grammar, vocabulary, and speaking skills, as well as his contributions to teacher education. Thornbury has authored numerous influential books in the field of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), including "How to Teach Grammar," "Teaching Unplugged," and "About Language." His concept of Dogme ELT, inspired by the Dogme 95 film movement, advocates for materials-light teaching that prioritizes emergent language and meaningful interaction. As a teacher trainer and conference speaker, Thornbury has worked extensively at institutions worldwide, including The New School in New York, where he teaches on the MA TESOL program. His blog, "An A-Z of ELT," has become a valued resource for language teaching professionals, addressing various aspects of language pedagogy and methodology. His approach to language teaching emphasizes the importance of context, meaningful communication, and learner engagement over rigid adherence to textbooks and materials. Thornbury's work continues to influence how English is taught in classrooms globally, particularly through his advocacy for more naturalistic and conversation-driven approaches to language learning.

Readers appreciate Thornbury's clear explanations of complex teaching concepts and his practical classroom examples. His books like "How to Teach Grammar" and "About Language" are frequently referenced in ESL teacher training programs. Readers highlight: - Accessible writing style for both new and experienced teachers - Real classroom scenarios and teaching tips - Research-based approaches presented without academic jargon Common criticisms: - Some books lack detailed lesson plans or ready-to-use materials - Advanced concepts can be challenging for beginning teachers - Limited coverage of technology integration in older works Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - How to Teach Grammar: 4.2/5 (219 ratings) - About Language: 4.3/5 (168 ratings) - Teaching Unplugged: 4.1/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: - How to Teach Grammar: 4.5/5 (52 reviews) - About Language: 4.6/5 (41 reviews) Reviews frequently note his blog posts and articles provide free supplementary content to his books.

About Language Tasks (1997) A collection of 88 practical tasks for teacher development focused on analyzing English language systems.

How to Teach Grammar (1999) A methodological guide examining approaches to teaching grammatical systems in the English language classroom.

The CELTA Course (2007) A comprehensive training manual for the Cambridge CELTA certification, co-authored with Peter Watkins.

Natural Grammar (2004) A reference book organizing grammatical structures around their lexical environments and usage patterns.

Beyond the Sentence (2005) An examination of discourse analysis and its applications in language teaching.

An A-Z of ELT (2006) A dictionary-style reference covering terminology and concepts in English language teaching.

Teaching Unplugged (2009) A methodology book focusing on materials-light, conversation-driven language teaching approaches.

Big Questions in ELT (2013) An analysis of controversial issues and debates in the field of English language teaching.

30 Language Teaching Methods (2017) A historical overview and practical analysis of different approaches to language teaching.

Scott Thornbury's 101 Grammar Questions (2019) A reference guide addressing common grammatical queries faced by English language teachers.