The Philosophy and Practice of Foreign Language Education

This volume brings the writings of Russian linguist Lev Vladimirovic Šcerba (1880–1944) to English-language readers for the first time. The collection includes key essays in which Šcerba addresses the issues of educational methodology for foreign languages, contextualised with a critical introduction and commentary, as well as an extensive bibliography of further reading. In the historical context of linguistic scholarship, Šcerba’s work is closely interlinked with major developments in the field of modern language studies in Western Europe at the turn of the twentieth century as well as with the Russian educational tradition. By studying Šcerba’s writing, it is possible to trace the foundational linguistic impetus for the development of this field of scholarship, as well as educational concerns that have since been integrated in the programme of modern language studies. The ideas advanced in Šcerba’s texts remain directly relevant today to policy-makers, teacher trainers, methodologists, and foreign language practitioners. They should be of particular interest to readers in Anglophone countries where foreign languages remain on the periphery of all levels of education. This book will enable English language readers to engage in their own critical reflection on Šcerba’s texts.