How to teach a foreign language

"How to Teach a Foreign Language" by Otto Jespersen, is a book that aims to transform how foreign languages are taught, offering an alternative to old-fashioned memorization. Jespersen, a well-known language expert, challenges common teaching methods and introduces a strategy that emphasizes real conversations and links to language learning. The book starts by describing how the author began studying improvements in language teaching and how a movement developed in Scandinavia. Jespersen underlines that the main aim of learning a language should be to improve communication skills, both in understanding and expressing ideas. He stresses the value of using the language practically, rather than just focusing on grammar and translation work. This central idea sets the stage for investigating new teaching methods, designed to boost students' abilities in language.