Book Critique

A Book Critique of the Works of Harold E. Palmer. An Overview

Smith (1999) has successfully accomplished to depict Harold Palmer’s works and life in a clear year-by-year biography (1877-1949).  He has shown that Palmer’s influence is still present in today’s deepest beliefs about English Language Teaching (ELT).  Especially noteworthy is the fact that his works have not been published in English until recently.  By analyzing his life, his works, and his Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) career, English teachers can now meet one of the fathers of ELT. 

Smith (1999) has established a connection between Palmer’s works and current TEFL theories and practices.  Palmer used to refer to some TEFL terminology which is known nowadays under the following terms: acquisition / learning theories, Total Physical Response (TPR), and eclecticism, among others.  Indirectly, other associations to teachers’ current concerns can be inferred from Smith’s description: The Rational Order of Progression, dealing with students’ specific needs, the three P model: presentation, practice, production (ppp), and finally, the “communicative approach” (p. 167).

Smith (1999) should have devoted more space to draw a more concise, clearer parallelism between Palmer’s works and current TEFL theory if he had taken into account possible future implications.  Not surprisingly, this absorbing, compelling book might one day become mandatory at TEFL courses. Smith’s (1999) work on Palmer’s life fosters not only teacher reflection, but also community development since, after reading this book, teachers might become more willing to share and discuss ideas, theories and values.

References

Smith, R. (1999). The writings of Harold E. Palmer. An overview. Tokyo, Japan:Hon-no-Tomosha publishers.