Unlike history or science teachers, English teachers do not impart a fixed body of knowledge. Instead, they focus on nurturing sensitivity, fostering awareness of the world, and cultivating self-expression and communication skills in their students. First published in 1982, Teaching English offers practical guidance for achieving these goals. It navigates the middle ground between the idealism of educational theorists and the cynicism of classroom pessimists, emphasizing the importance of setting priorities and engaging in self-evaluation during times of educational change.

The book explores effective approaches to teaching talking, reading, writing, poetry, drama, and other aspects of English in secondary schools. It uses the realities of the classroom as a foundation for envisioning what could be achieved, providing strategies to make learning purposeful and impactful. Additionally, Teaching English addresses the challenging questions students often ask, such as "Why are we doing this?" and "What is this for?"--offering thoughtful answers informed by research and the shared experiences of seasoned English teachers.