A book critique on From teacher to manager: Managing language teaching organizations

White, Hockley, van der Horst Jansen, and Laughner (2008) strike the readers with an utterly suggestive title. From teacher to manager: Managing language teaching organizations (2008) could be considered an essential book in the field of teaching management. According to White et al. (2008),

[A]nyone moving from a classroom to a supervisory or managerial role needs to extend existing skills relevant to their new job, as well as acquire new competencies and a new managerial perspective. This book is intended to be a contribution to such development (p.1).

White et al.’s book is divided into ten clear and well-organized chapters, expressed in straightforward language and friendly to teachers who approach management for the first time. Especially noteworthy is the authors’ ability to engage the reader from the very beginning. This is achieved by means of including Reflection sections in each chapter, which aim at involving the reader into the topics discussed. Also, the inclusion of  Task sections at the end of every chapter prove to be very effective so that managers-to-be can put into practice the theory learnt. In addition, this book also includes an appendix with suggested answers to the tasks and a very useful index too.

The authors of this book seem to suggest that any teacher wishing to set up his or her own language school, or simply wishing you climb up the career ladder will appreciate the information provided in it. From hiring staff to budgeting, all the aspects of managing a language teaching organisation have been taken into account by these authors.

All things considered, the authors’ wish that “From Teacher to Manager will meet the needs of newcomers and practising managers, (…) and will lay a foundation for whatever specialized training and development they may undertake in the future” (White et al, 2008, p.4) seems to have been accomplished. Not only has White et al (2008) presented useful theoretical information but he has also provided the reader with insightful tasks.

References

White, R. et al (2008) From teacher to manager. Managing language teaching organizations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press