The PD Library is intended to support self-directed and evidence-informed professional learning. Instructors may explore the collection according to a particular professional interest, a selected Development Goal, an aspect of classroom practice they wish to investigate further, or a question that emerges through reflection and developmental classroom observation.
The resources are not intended to prescribe particular teaching practices. Instead, they provide opportunities for instructors to engage with different perspectives, connect professional reading with their own teaching contexts, and make informed decisions about their professional learning.
The collection will continue to develop as relevant new publications and updated editions become available.
1. Language Teaching: Principles & Methodology
Learning Teaching
Jim Scrivener | Macmillan Education
A widely used practical guide to English language teaching that connects methodological principles with lesson planning, classroom interaction, teaching techniques, and everyday classroom decision-making.
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The Practice of English Language Teaching
Jeremy Harmer | Pearson
A comprehensive reference covering major principles of English language teaching, classroom practice, language systems, language skills, lesson planning, technology, and teacher development.
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A Course in English Language Teaching
Penny Ur | Cambridge University Press & Assessment
A comprehensive introduction to English language teaching combining theoretical perspectives with practical classroom applications and reflection on contemporary teaching contexts.
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Teaching by Principles: An Interactive Approach to Language Pedagogy
H. Douglas Brown & Heekyeong Lee | Pearson
A major methodology text exploring principles of second language teaching and their application to interactive classroom practice, lesson design, communicative teaching, and language skills.
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Principles of Language Learning and Teaching
H. Douglas Brown & Heekyeong Lee | Pearson
A foundational introduction to second language learning, including cognitive, affective, linguistic, and sociocultural dimensions and their implications for language teaching.
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How Languages are Learned
Patsy M. Lightbown & Nina Spada | Oxford University Press
An accessible introduction to research on first and second language acquisition, with particular attention to what research findings may mean for language teachers and classroom practice.
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Teaching and Learning in the Language Classroom
Tricia Hedge | Oxford University Press
A comprehensive exploration of language learning and teaching that connects methodological principles with classroom practice, language skills, learner development, and course design.
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Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching
Jack C. Richards & Theodore S. Rodgers | Cambridge University Press
A major reference examining established and contemporary approaches to language teaching through theories of language and learning, syllabus design, classroom activities, and teacher and learner roles.
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Methodology in Language Teaching: An Anthology of Current Practice
Jack C. Richards & Willy A. Renandya (eds.) | Cambridge University Press
A substantial collection of professional readings addressing approaches to teaching, lesson planning, classroom management, materials, learning strategies, and skills teaching.
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The Art and Science of Language Teaching
Lara Bryfonski & Alison Mackey | Cambridge University Press
A research-informed exploration of language teaching designed to help teachers connect findings from second language acquisition research with practical classroom decisions.
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The Twenty Most Effective Language Teaching Techniques
I. S. P. Nation | Routledge
A research-informed examination of language teaching techniques and the learning principles that underpin them, with connections to listening, speaking, reading, writing, and the Four Strands framework.
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2. Lesson Planning, Classroom Practice & Management
Classroom Management Techniques
Jim Scrivener | Cambridge University Press
A practical guide to creating classroom conditions that support effective learning, with attention to classroom interaction, teacher interventions, learner participation, and classroom management decisions.
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Scott Thornbury's 66 Essentials of Lesson Design
Scott Thornbury | Cambridge University Press
A concise, research-informed exploration of the principles behind effective language lesson design and the ways in which learning develops through classroom activity.
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Penny Ur's 100 Teaching Tips
Penny Ur | Cambridge University Press
A collection of practical insights based on extensive classroom and teacher-education experience, covering a broad range of everyday teaching decisions and challenges.
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Jeremy Harmer's 50 Communicative Activities
Jeremy Harmer | Cambridge University Press
A practical collection of activities designed to promote meaningful communication, learner interaction, engagement, and communicative language use.
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Alan Maley's 50 Creative Activities
Alan Maley | Cambridge University Press
A collection of creative language-learning activities drawing on writing, music, sound, drama, voice, visual material, and playful uses of language.
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700 Classroom Activities
David Seymour & Maria Popova | Macmillan Education
An extensive collection of practical classroom activities covering a wide range of language areas, skills, levels, and teaching situations.
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100 Great Activities: The Best of the Cambridge Handbooks for Language Teachers
Penny Ur & Scott Thornbury (eds.) | Cambridge University Press
A curated collection of one hundred tried-and-tested activities selected from the long-running Cambridge Handbooks for Language Teachers series.
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The TKT Course: Modules 1, 2 and 3
Mary Spratt, Alan Pulverness & Melanie Williams | Cambridge University Press
A structured overview of language and language learning, lesson planning, teaching resources, classroom language, teaching procedures, and classroom management.
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3. Teaching Language & Skills
Teaching English Grammar: What to Teach and How to Teach It
Jim Scrivener | Macmillan Education
A practical resource helping teachers clarify grammatical concepts, anticipate learner difficulties, and develop effective procedures for presenting and practising grammar.
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Grammar Practice Activities
Penny Ur | Cambridge University Press
A classic practical resource offering a wide range of activities for grammar practice together with guidance on effective approaches to grammar teaching.
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Uncovering Grammar
Scott Thornbury | Macmillan Education
An exploration of grammar and grammar teaching that encourages teachers to examine how grammatical knowledge develops and how classroom practice can support meaningful language use.
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How to Teach Vocabulary
Scott Thornbury | Pearson
A practical introduction to vocabulary learning and teaching, including how words are learned, remembered, organised, presented, practised, and recycled.
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Penny Ur's 77 Tips for Teaching Vocabulary
Penny Ur | Cambridge University Press
A concise and practical exploration of vocabulary teaching, including selecting vocabulary, introducing new items, reviewing and practising vocabulary, vocabulary enrichment, and independent learning.
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Teaching Reading Skills in a Foreign Language
Christine Nuttall | Macmillan Education
A classic guide to developing effective foreign-language readers through practical strategies, classroom activities, and an understanding of reading processes.
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Teaching ESL/EFL Reading and Writing
I. S. P. Nation & John Macalister | Routledge
A research-informed guide to developing reading and writing through a balanced approach to meaning-focused input, meaning-focused output, language-focused learning, and fluency development.
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Teaching ESL/EFL Listening and Speaking
Jonathan M. Newton & I. S. P. Nation | Routledge
A practical, research-informed guide to developing listening and speaking through meaningful input, meaningful output, language-focused learning, and fluency development.
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How to Teach Speaking
Scott Thornbury | Pearson
A practical exploration of spoken language and speaking pedagogy, including fluency, interaction, classroom speaking tasks, and the development of spoken competence.
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How to Teach Writing
Jeremy Harmer | Pearson
A practical guide to teaching writing that explores writing processes, classroom tasks, feedback, genre, and ways of supporting learners in becoming more effective writers.
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Sound Foundations
Adrian Underhill | Macmillan Education
A well-established resource for understanding and teaching English pronunciation, moving from individual sounds to words and connected speech through a discovery-based approach.
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4. Assessment & Feedback
Testing for Language Teachers
Arthur Hughes & Jake Hughes | Cambridge University Press
A major practical reference connecting principles of validity and reliability with test design, assessment techniques, language skills, alternative assessment, technology, and responsible language testing.
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Language Assessment: Principles and Classroom Practices
H. Douglas Brown & Priyanvada Abeywickrama | Pearson
A comprehensive introduction to second-language assessment, with particular attention to classroom-based assessment, test design, language skills, rubrics, and fair and effective assessment procedures.
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5. Learners, Motivation & Positive Learning Environments
Motivating Learners, Motivating Teachers
Zoltán Dörnyei & Magdalena Kubanyiova | Cambridge University Press
An influential exploration of motivation in language education focusing on vision, learner motivation, and ways teachers can help learners imagine and work towards successful future language use.
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Positive Language Teaching
Selami Aydın | LREplus
A contemporary exploration of positive psychology in foreign language education, focusing on ways language teaching can support positive learning experiences, learner engagement, and well-being alongside language development.
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Sarah Mercer and Herbert Puchta's 101 Psychological Tips
Sarah Mercer & Herbert Puchta | Cambridge University Press
A practical collection translating insights from psychology into accessible ideas that language teachers can use to better understand learners, motivation, emotions, relationships, and learning.
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Lessons from Good Language Teachers
Carol Griffiths & Zia Tajeddin (eds.) | Cambridge University Press
A research-informed collection examining effective language teaching from a range of perspectives and bringing together insights from experienced teachers and researchers.
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6. Materials, Technology & AI
Materials Development in Language Teaching
Brian Tomlinson (ed.) | Cambridge University Press
A major reference exploring principles and practices related to the evaluation, adaptation, design, development, and use of language-learning materials.
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The Cambridge Guide to Blended Learning for Language Teaching
Michael McCarthy (ed.) | Cambridge University Press
A research-informed exploration of blended language learning built around the principle that pedagogy, rather than technology itself, should guide the design of learning environments.
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Nicky Hockly's 30 Essentials for Using Artificial Intelligence
Nicky Hockly | Cambridge University Press
An accessible introduction to the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence in language teaching, combining practical applications with consideration of ethical and pedagogical issues.
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7. Reflective Practice & Teacher Development
Professional Development for Language Teachers: Strategies for Teacher Learning
Jack C. Richards & Thomas S. C. Farrell | Cambridge University Press
A key reference on language-teacher professional development, exploring strategies including self-monitoring, teaching journals, peer observation, peer coaching, teacher support groups, workshops, portfolios, team teaching, and action research.
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The Developing Teacher
Duncan Foord | DELTA Publishing
A practical teacher-development resource encouraging teachers to take an active role in their professional learning through reflection, experimentation, collaboration, and exploration of classroom practice.
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Doing Reflective Practice in English Language Teaching
Thomas S. C. Farrell | Routledge
A practical guide to integrating reflective practice into professional life, with activities related to classroom observation, lesson planning, classroom management, professional dialogue, and teacher development.
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Reflective Practice in English Language Teaching
Steve Mann & Steve Walsh | Routledge
A research-based exploration of reflective practice showing how classroom data, professional dialogue, and practitioner inquiry can support ongoing teacher learning.
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Teacher Development Over Time
Tessa Woodward, Kathleen Graves & Donald Freeman | Routledge
An exploration of teacher learning across different stages of a professional career, helping teachers reflect on changing professional needs, challenges, identities, and opportunities over time.
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Reflective Language Teaching
Thomas S. C. Farrell | Cambridge University Press
A structured exploration of reflective language teaching designed to help teachers systematically examine their professional beliefs, classroom practices, and professional identity.
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Jack C. Richards' 50 Tips for Teacher Development
Jack C. Richards | Cambridge University Press
A concise collection of practical ideas supporting teacher learning through reflection, professional knowledge, collaboration, classroom inquiry, and continuing professional development.
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8. Curriculum, Research & Professional Inquiry
Curriculum Development in Language Teaching
Jack C. Richards | Cambridge University Press
A systematic examination of language curriculum development covering situation analysis, needs analysis, goal setting, syllabus design, materials development and adaptation, teaching and teacher support, and programme evaluation.
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Collaborative Action Research for English Language Teachers
Anne Burns | Cambridge University Press
A practical introduction to collaborative action research that supports teachers in systematically investigating questions arising from their own classrooms and using evidence to inform professional practice.
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The Language Teaching Matrix
Jack C. Richards | Cambridge University Press
A collection exploring relationships among curriculum, methodology, learners, teachers, classroom processes, and teaching materials, with attention to teacher self-development.
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