Adapting and Writing Language Lessons

Each passing year sees more people exposed to languages. The largest number are learning widely taught international languages such as Spanish and French. However, as the world seems to be getting smaller, the number of people who need competence in one or more of the traditionally lesser-taught languages of the world. These lesser-taught languages tend to be the ones for which there are the fewest language resources available. Yet any one course is necessarily of some length, in some one pedagogical style, and with some fixed content. This fact, together with the paucity of material, means that most prospective users of lessons will be dissatisfied with what they find. The decision is often to discard all that exists and start anew, or simply not to start at all. The purpose of this book, which draws upon twenty years of teaching so-called 'neglected' languages in a wide variety of settings, is two-fold: first, to set forth guidelines for appreciating what already exists and adapting it to immediate needs; second, to suggest an approach to writing new materials that will be as adaptable as possible.