Focus on Grammar and Meaning

The book under review is the tenth volume in the Oxford Key Concepts for the Language Classroom series, whose stated aim is ‘to provide accessible information about research on topics that are important to second language teachers’ (p. xi), with the emphasis on ‘how knowing about this research can guide teachers in their instructional planning, pedagogical activities, and assessment of learners’ progress’ (ibid.). To this end, the 121 pages of Oliveira and Schleppegrell’s main text are organized into five modest-sized, relatively accessible chapters. Two of these provide a concise introduction to the key theoretical concepts and an overview of the relevant research in the area of grammar pedagogy, inspired by a version of Hallidayan functional grammar (cf. p. 26 ff). Two subsequent chapters offer a selection of classroom applications of the approach recommended by the authors. The last short chapter brings final conclusions and a summary of the authors’ position. The main text is supplemented with Classroom Snapshots and Activities, whose aim is to encourage readers to reflect on the issues and/or apply the concepts and ideas to their own teaching context. There are also several Spotlight Study boxes, aiming to highlight particularly relevant research projects. In accordance with the overall series concept, the material is intended to address the needs of learners aged 5–18. Accordingly, the first of the two ‘applied’ chapters is aimed at teachers of primary school children (aged 5–11), while the second chapter looks at secondary school learners (aged 12–18).