Comments on Ann M. Johns's "Written Argumentation for Real Audiences: Suggestions for Teacher Research and Classroom Practice"

Abstract

of quality. To put the point briefly: English and English teaching are proper to the extent that they are appropriate, not to the extent that they are appropriated. TESOL has recently made public its opposition to discrimination against the nonnative teacher, as a matter of sociopolitical principle. This is obviously to be welcomed. But if it is to be more than a token gesture, such a move needs to be supported by an enquiry into the nature of the subject we are teaching, what constitutes an appropriate approach, what kinds of competence is required of teachers-in other words an enquiry into matters of pedagogic principle which bring sociopolitical concerns and professional standards into alignment. In this convention we are concerned with designing our world. Our world. Possessive. Who are we then? What is this world we own? TESOL has