This book has a clear and constant focus on the ultimate aim of language teaching: helping learners to develop the ability to communicate effectively. Drawn from 15 different countries, the authors discuss exactly what effective communication involves and what teachers should aim for when helping learners to develop. They then expand into the different ways in which materials can help teachers and learners to achieve this.

The chapters are organized into four sections - Proposals for Action, Materials Analysis and Evaluation, Materials Development Projects and Materials Development Research - with each section followed by comments from one of the editors on the commonalities shared by the chapters in the section and the issues that they raise. All of the chapters propose ways of developing and using materials to facilitate the development of communicative ability in any language. They are written to be accessible to newcomers in the field, and stimulating to experienced teachers, teacher trainers, materials developers and researchers.