Understanding Language Use in the Classroom A Linguistic Guide for College Educators

It is clear that a proper understanding of what academic English is and how to use it is crucial for success in college, and yet students face multiple obstacles in acquiring this new 'code', not least that their professors often cannot agree amongst themselves on a definition and a set of rules. Understanding Language Use in the Classroom aims to bring the latest findings in linguistics research on academic English to educators from other disciplines, and to help them help their students learn and achieve. Behrens combines a powerful argument for the importance of explicit teaching of language skills in college with answers to common questions from professors and students, as well as sample teaching materials to help make these issues come alive in the classroom.

Susan J. Behrens is Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Co-Director of the Center for Teaching Innovation and Excellence, Marymount Manhattan College, New York, USA. She contributes to The New York Times Learning Network and The New York Times in the First Year. Her publications include Grammar: A Pocket Guide (Routledge 2010) and Language in the Real World: An Introduction to Linguistics (with Judith A. Parker, Routledge 2010).