Reviews
"Though I have been John's friend and colleague for more than 20 years, this volume gave me further insights, particularly into the influences upon his life and work. No doubt others who admire his writing, as well as his contributions to ESP and applied linguistics. They will also benefit from his "narrated experiences," noting how John responded to, learned from, and made remarkably original comments on what he observed in texts and contexts." --Ann M. Johns, Professor Emerita, San Diego State University/former co-editor with John Swales of English for Specific Purposes Journal, "John Swales is never less than engaging and thought-provoking in his academic writing, and we find the same sparkle and humour in the pages of this 'educational life.' Looking back over a long and productive career through a succession of formative episodes, John takes us on a very personal journey of learning. From the rigours of an English boarding school in the 1950s, through undergraduate years at Cambridge and English language teaching in Europe and North Africa, to the career of an academic at Aston and Michigan, we see the emergence of a person and a discipline. This enjoyable narrative of a professional life is full of insights and historical curiosities which not only illuminate the development of EFL teaching and the field of English for Specific Purposes, but the character of a man who helped shape both of them." - Ken Hyland, University of London/editor of Applied Linguistics, Though I have been John''s friend and colleague for more than 20 years, this volume gave me further insights, particularly into the influences upon his life and work. No doubt others who admire his writing, as well as his contributions to ESP and applied linguistics. will also benefit from his "narrated experiences," noting how John responded to, learned from, and made remarkably original comments on what he observed in texts and contexts.---Ann M. Johns, Professor Emerita, San Diego State University/former co-editor with John Swales of English for Specific Purposes Journal
