本書具資訊性及前瞻性，編年式陳述第二語教學的歷史、影響與發展，及前述如何在往後時日形塑語言教學這份專業。啟發思考的章節、追溯語言教學的源頭及演變，帶領讀者思考本身工作的觀點和價值。
這本鉅作以跨學科領域的角度，幫助老師建立其獨有之教學哲學基礎。

This informative and insightful book situates second language teaching in a historical context. It chronicles the many influences and developments that have helped shape the language teaching profession today. Thought-provoking chapters, tracing the origins and evolution of language teaching, lead readers to consider their own views and values concerning their work. With its interdisciplinary perspective, this extraordinary book lays a foundation on which teachers can construct their own philosophy of teaching.

Ch.1 Terms and processes for a philosophy of ES/FL teaching
Ch.2 The early history and philosophies of school
Ch.3 Language teaching traditions in historical and philosophical context
Ch.4 Isms and systems
Ch.5 Two recent philosophical movements, language teaching, and the way the world is going (perhaps)
Ch.6 Epistemology and the S/FL teacher
Ch.7 Ethics and morals
Ch.8 Mainstream social and political philosophy and language education
Ch.9 Radical alternatives
Ch.10 Some continuing tensions for S/FL teachers
Ch.11 Aims, and other components of a teaching philosophy, empirical studies
Ch.12 A concluding comment; References