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The Internet was undeniably the most radical agent of change in the last quarter of the 20th century. It touches all our lives at many points, and its influence will continue to grow inexorably, and in probably unpredictable ways, in the 21st century. Language pedagogy cannot and should not be immune to the advantages the Internet offers – in information, in resources and in opportunities for global communication.

However, teachers’ reactions to the Internet are typically emotion-driven. On the one hand there are those in whom it evokes anxiety and confusion. The response to ‘infoglut’ (the sheer quantity of information available), ‘infosprawl’ (the apparently chaotic manner in which it is organized) and to ‘infobabble’ (the triviality of so much of what is accessible) is at best a sort of mental block and at worst a passionate, Luddite resistance.

On the other hand there are those whose uncritically enthusiastic embracing of the Internet may produce equally negative results. A fascination with the technology at the expense of sound pedagogy can only be harmful, for all its superficial attractions.

The book provides a welcome corrective to both these emotional responses. The activities in Chapter 1 (Core Internet Skills) are specifically designed to lead both students and teachers through the skills of searching and saving on the Internet. They are clearly and unthreateningly presented, as well as providing interesting and productive language work. The chapter should build confidence even among technophobes.

The remaining two chapters (Focus on Language and Focus on Language Skills) offer a wide range of language-learning activities drawing on the resources of the Internet. The primary focus is always the language-learning payoff rather than the technical sophistication of the medium.

Features which will recommend themselves to novices and Net experts alike are the appendices and Website, which contain a wealth of information and links.

The book thus combines user-friendliness, pedagogically valuable activities, and state-of-the-art information. As such it will help teachers to use the Internet as a resource.

Alan Maley