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This book tackles that most elusive, yet crucial, of factors in classrooms – the ‘atmosphere’. Why does one group ‘gel’ while another gives off ‘bad vibes’? We all know that if the atmosphere, the ‘feel’ is right, learning is facilitated.

As the author says, ‘a positive group atmosphere can have a beneficial effect on the morale, motivation, and self-image of its members, and thus significantly affect their learning, by developing in them a positive attitude to the language being learned, to the learning process, and to themselves as learners’ (page 10).

But can something so intangible and insubstantial as an ‘atmosphere’ be created? This book is an attempt to show that it can.

The author begins by analysing what characterizes successful and unsuccessful groups. She goes on to offer a range of activities to develop such positive characteristics as mutual trust, confidence in self and in the group, empathy within the group, and the building of a group identity.

Many teachers will be familiar with ‘warmers’ and other activities designed to facilitate group formation. The originality of this book lies in its attention to the group process throughout the lifetime of the group. By far the majority of the activities are designed to sustain the life of the group after it is up and running. There are also suggestions for preparing students for the end of the group experience to avoid the sometimes painful withdrawal symptoms which follow the disbanding of a tightly-knit learning community.

The activities and comments are always practicable and are clearly based on the author’s long and varied experience (from Torquay to Tibet!). She makes no great theoretical claims but the whole book is infused with two rare qualities – common sense, and good-humoured kindness. Teachers at all levels will find it invaluable.

Alan Maley

A boy’s head