What Should Every ESL Teacher Know?

What Should Every ESL Teacher Know? presents core principles and practices for teaching English as a second language. The text covers essential topics including lesson planning, classroom management, teaching methodology, and language assessment. Nunan draws from research and classroom experience to outline practical approaches for developing students' reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. The book includes sample activities, teaching scenarios, and reflection questions that connect theory to real classroom situations. The book serves as both an introduction for new ESL teachers and a reference for experienced practitioners seeking to refine their methods. Beyond technical instruction, the text examines the broader context of language learning and the role of teachers in fostering student success. The work underscores the complex relationship between language acquisition theory and classroom practice, while emphasizing the importance of evidence-based teaching strategies in ESL education.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of David Nunan's overall work: Readers value Nunan's clear writing style and practical approach to language teaching methodology. Teachers praise his concrete examples and classroom applications in "Task-Based Language Teaching" and "Second Language Teaching & Learning." Positive reviews highlight: - Accessible explanations of complex concepts - Real classroom scenarios and case studies - Research-backed teaching strategies - Sample lesson plans and activities Common criticisms: - Some concepts repeated across multiple books - Theoretical sections can be dense for new teachers - Limited coverage of teaching young learners - High textbook prices Ratings across platforms: Amazon: 4.5/5 (382 reviews) Goodreads: 4.2/5 (573 reviews) One ESL teacher noted: "His task-based framework transformed my teaching approach." Another reviewer commented: "The research sections feel academic, but the practical examples make up for it." Most reviewers recommend starting with "Second Language Teaching & Learning" as an introduction to his work.

Teaching by Principles by H. Douglas Brown This textbook presents research-based principles for language teaching with practical classroom applications and strategies for ESL instruction.

The Practice of English Language Teaching by Jeremy Harmer The text covers language teaching methodologies, classroom management techniques, and teaching skills through a combination of theory and practice.

Techniques and Principles in Language Teaching by Diane Larsen-Freeman This guide examines different language teaching methods through classroom scenarios and practical examples of each approach in action.

How Languages are Learned by Patsy Lightbown, Nina Spada The book connects second language acquisition research to classroom teaching practices through case studies and real-world applications.

Beyond Methods: Macrostrategies for Language Teaching by B. Kumaravadivelu This work presents a framework for post-method pedagogy in ESL teaching through concrete teaching strategies and classroom procedures.

🎓 David Nunan has served as President of TESOL, the world's largest language teaching organization, and has authored over 100 books and articles on language teaching. 📚 The book emphasizes that successful ESL teachers should understand both the "what" (content) and the "how" (methodology) of language teaching, rather than focusing on just one aspect. 🌏 The principles outlined in the book have been implemented in teacher training programs across multiple continents, from Asia to South America. 🔄 The text promotes a cyclical approach to language learning, where students revisit concepts multiple times at increasingly sophisticated levels, rather than a linear progression. 📝 Despite its comprehensive scope, the book was intentionally written in accessible language to serve both new ESL teachers and experienced educators seeking to refresh their knowledge.