In this work the author discusses recent advances in linguistic science and the applicability of linguistics to the teaching of reading, the structure of English, as well as the relation of the spoken language to literature in the secondary schools and to the teaching of foreign languages throughout the educational system. The importance of the "structure" of the language as essential preparation for all who teach any aspect of the language arts--from reading in the elementary grades to literature and foreign languages in the secondary schools and colleges--is developed thoroughly. An extremely significant point is the application of linguistics to teaching. Henry Lee Smith shows that if a child is not systematically taught the relationship between sound symbol and written symbol when he is ready and eager for it his reading can easily become a serious problem.

This book establishes a bridge between current research in Linguistics and Psycholinguistics and language pedagogy in the classroom. It reformulates the debates about teaching approaches by calling the reader’s attention to discoveries about the structure of grammar, the universals of language, mind processes while comprehending, producing and storing language, and facts about learning. The popularization of L2 teaching brought with it a need to find efficient teaching methods. Debates have hinged mainly around the alleged advantages of communicative vs. traditional methods. However, most approaches have their roots in linguistic and psychological theories that have been questioned by language researchers. Some language teachers are probably unaware of these advances and to that extent, continue to adhere to teaching approaches mainly based on intuitions. Consequently, evaluating materials may be often performed in rather uninformed circumstances. The book contains chapters on relevant issues by leading researchers, classified into three main areas. The editors contribute a chapter to each of these sections about the implications for second language teaching. This book facilitates an approximation between researchers in the theoretical and experimental fields of language and those responsible for innovation in language teaching. It is designed so that L2 teachers can adopt and adjust the knowledge drawn from the book to their particular environment and group of students.