The editorial purpose of this volume is to bridge the gap between the theory behind applied linguistics and the production of classroom materials and curriculum planning. To this end, Tomlinson attempts to outline current theories and trends in different areas of applied linguistics, such as vocabulary building and reading skill, while showing how those theories can be used to address the oft-asked question of how research can be applied to instruction.

Part 1 of the volume deals with research in how language is acquired and the differences between what textbooks typically advise and what instructors actually do. Attention is given to pressure from publishers for texts to have activities with single “correct” answers because they are easier to sell and to the sense that the accepted way to teach a second language is to focus on grammar and lexis that can be worked on independently. Part 2 focuses more on the way language is used, with spoken language and vocabulary building each receiving notable treatment; Chapters 6 and 8 both point a critical eye on textbooks that attempt to teach “natural” speech patterns but end up being more about perfect grammar than about fluency. This criticism is made at several points in the volume, and Tomlinson seems to hope the volume will inspire people to conduct more research on this area. Part 4 will be of particular worth to instructors as it makes the clearest connection between the theories presented in the book and the ways in which those theories can be used in an instructional setting.

The volume as a whole is thought provoking and provides a good basis for anyone looking to incorporate more theory into their practice. Each chapter ends with suggestions on how to use the theories discussed to create class materials. The one criticism that may be said is that the volume is somewhat compartmentalized, although Tomlinson admits as much owing to the nature of the aforementioned theory-practice gap. Nonetheless, this volume delivers a number of insights into theory and practice that will make it invaluable to the field.