Exploring language learning and teaching through texts and ideas: A historiographical perspective

This article focuses on new research conducted by various scholars in the field of language teaching from a diachronic perspective. The collected volume "Texts and ideas in the history of language learning and teaching" brings together peer-reviewed contributions that analyze an array of textual genres spanning diverse historical periods, countries and cultures, and encompass various languages. The texts reflect the evolving landscape of ideas and socio-historical paradigms pivotal to language teaching and learning. Ranging from the 16th to the 20th century, these contributions employ diverse methodological perspectives, with a common denominator being the historiographical slant. The authors delve into questions such as: how – and why – were pedagogical texts compiled across diverse countries and periods? How can these texts be analyzed linguistically? How have other textual genres – general and specialized press, literary texts, travel books, etc. – contributed to enhancing the debate on foreign language teaching? How do these texts relate to the socio-political and historical context(s)?