English language classrooms have changed greatly since the first edition of this book was published, more than thirty years ago. Advances in the technology available to teachers and students, both inside and outside the classroom, have brought about some of the most noticeable of these changes.

However, the fundamental questions of how best to teach and learn a language remain the same. This book is informed by past theory and practice and by books and articles written by teachers and researchers in recent years. It examines current issues, such as the lingua franca core, teaching ‘unplugged’ and the rise of digital testing and marking, amongst many others, and provides a snapshot of the state of English language teaching today.

By sharing the knowledge of how good teachers think and work, we can ensure that we help our students to communicate as effectively as they can.