TESOL: A Guide by J. Liu & C. Berger (review)

TESOL International will be celebrating its 50th year and convention in Baltimore in 2016, so it seems a publication that attempts to reflect on half a century of work in a field as diverse as TESOL is timely. As David Nunan mentions in the foreword, the attempt to capture the essence of the “chameleon-like character” (p. xiii) of the TESOL acronym as a profession, an association, and a field of study is an ambitious endeavour undertaken by the two authors: Liu, the first Asian president of TESOL, and Berger, a doctoral student in TESOL.

The book is divided into five chapters, with each being a useful stand-alone resource. The first chapter primarily provides an analysis of the TESOL literature from a single source: TESOL Quarterly. The trends over time in terms of subject matter demonstrate the historical and dynamic nature of the profession, and the list of emergent issues provides a foundation for looking forward.

The second chapter addresses TESOL as a profession. The chapter includes information for those considering the profession, such as the required qualifications for the field. It also addresses questions such as “What is TESOL?” and “What is professional development?” In addition, the chapter proposes a framework for teachers, including specific goals and objectives organized around three domains: language and culture, instruction and assessment, and professionalism. This framework could be used as the nucleus of a TESOL teacher education program or as a point of reflection for experienced teachers. The chapter wraps up with suggestions for professional development, including tips on reflective practice, avoiding burnout, and advancing one’s career.

The third chapter focuses on research in the field of TESOL. The authors lean heavily toward the notion of teacher-as-researcher in this chapter and claim that “TESOL research is done by or with classroom teachers” (p. 99). This demonstrates a trend in the research agenda of TESOL International, one that effectively bridges the sometimes disconnected research of the academy with the practice of the classroom. Several case studies are presented, as are methodological options for engaging in research. The chapter provides a window into research in the field, but it may simplify the complexity of conducting meaningful and impactful research. The second part of the chapter is an annotated bibliography of some of the main areas of study in TESOL that highlights key articles and texts, with an additional list of sources for further study. This bibliography reads like a who’s who of the profession and would be useful for those new to TESOL or for those beginning research in one of the included areas.

The fourth chapter covers the history of TESOL International as a professional organization and includes everything from a list of past conventions to reflections from past and present leaders, to the organization of the association. Much of this information can be found on the TESOL International Association website (www.tesol.org); nevertheless, the authors provide a meaningful way to approach the overwhelming amount of information on the website, which gives the reader a comprehensive understanding of the organization and ways to be involved.

The fifth chapter is a list of resources, including a robust list of acronyms, a limited list of professional organizations, a list of web tools and interactive websites, employment-related websites, and a glossary of key terms. Parts of this chapter would be excellent resources for TESOL students or professionals at various stages of a career. The book is lacking a conclusion, which would be an opportunity to link the somewhat diverse components together and focus on the future of TESOL in terms of the profession, the organization, and the field of study.

While there have been various presentations (referred to by Nunan in the foreword) and articles (Alatis, 1987; Alatis & LeClair, 1993; Canagarajah, 2006) related to the history of TESOL International, this book seems to be the most comprehensive study thus far. There is no denying that this book takes an American perspective on the field of TESOL, and...