The Monkey on the Bicycle: Behavioral Objectives and the Teaching of English

Abstract

Author's Note: Many are the movements-or trends-that sweep over the teaching of English. Some, like courses in rock lyrics, add a touch of color to the passing scene. Some, like semantics or transformational grammar, survive after the original disciples have discovered new prophets and add something lasting to our efforts to help students understand and master language. Some, like the liberal or permissive movement in usage, or our growing recognition of America's cultural and linguistic pluralism, in slow but profound ways change our conception of who we are and what we do.