Explores the relationship between the subject philosophy of English teachers and their assessment practices. Examines the history of the debate about validity and reliability of course work-based assessment in English and looks at ways in which practitioners and exam boards have sought to grapple with the issue of reliability and validity within…

Discusses the proposition that English is "one subject" for both testing and teaching purposes and suggests that language and literature should be considered separately as different subjects. (RB)

Examines the textbooks currently available to secondary teachers of English as sources of materials, ideas, and activities. (RB)

Outlines how one poem is used as the focus of a sixth form critical appreciation lesson and as a work of art to be responded to in its own right. (Author/RB)

General discussion of the problems and opportunities of mixed ability English instruction, followed by an example of a particualr unit of work. (AA)

Reviews and critiques the British system of public examinations. (AA)

Based on a survey of examinations in drama, discusses principles, practices, and issues raised by the findings. (AA)

Overview of the approach and detailed discussion of a specific theme used in a course for full-time secretarial students. (AA)

Proposes that English be taught as a unified course throughout the school years with challenging standards and options for those who want them but centering on the English language and exploring ourselves and our world. (TO)

Describes the Leicester Special A-Level English Syllabus. (TO)

In launching the commission on Language Difficulties, helps teachers to realize in practical terms the difficulties of becoming learners by encouraging the members of the commission to consider what is involved in a particular learning situation. (RB)

Discusses reasons for teaching Shakespeare, types of responses to expect in students at different ages, a possible order for introducing Shakespeare's plays, available texts, traditional methods of teaching Shakespeare, the kinds of work being done by studdents studying Shakespeare, aids to teaching Shakespeare, possible related activities, and…

Provides an account of the recent right-wing backlash in the United States against trends in higher education. Traces the continuing "crisis in English" to historical origins of humanities as a sequestered enclave. Suggests that this conflict will largely determine the future of English instruction. (HB)

Outlines the contradictions inherent in the conservative agenda supporting both the traditional literary canon of instruction and an aggressive promotion of vocationalist modernization. Discusses the connections between these two initiatives and offers an example of a practical alternative to both. (HB)

Discusses the novel "Web of Dreams" by Virginia Andrews, a favorite among many secondary students. Considers the book as subject for secondary English study. Claims that the novel defies most teacherly prejudices about formula writing. Provides detailed criticism of the novel. (HB)