Guy Cook
Encyclopedia
Guy W. D. Cook is a leading applied linguist
. He is currently Professor of Applied Linguistics at The Open University in the UK and is also Chair of The British Association for Applied Linguistics for the period 2009-2012. He teaches and writes about English language teaching
, literary stylistics
, discourse analysis
, advertising, and the language of food politics
.
He is known for three strands of research:
, where he read English. He holds a Masters degree and PhD from the University of London
. He worked initially as a language teacher in the UK, Egypt, Italy and the Soviet Union, before beginning his academic career in 1985. He was a lecturer at the University of Leeds
1985-1991, head of Modern Languages and TESOL
at the London University Institute of Education
1991-1998 and Professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Reading
, 1998-2004. He was co-editor of the journal Applied Linguistics from 2004-2009.
Applied linguistics
Applied linguistics is an interdisciplinary field of study that identifies, investigates, and offers solutions to language-related real-life problems...
. He is currently Professor of Applied Linguistics at The Open University in the UK and is also Chair of The British Association for Applied Linguistics for the period 2009-2012. He teaches and writes about English language teaching
English language learning and teaching
English as a second language , English for speakers of other languages and English as a foreign language all refer to the use or study of English by speakers with different native languages. The precise usage, including the different use of the terms ESL and ESOL in different countries, is...
, literary stylistics
Stylistics (linguistics)
Stylistics is the study and interpretation of texts from a linguistic perspective. As a discipline it links literary criticism and linguistics, but has no autonomous domain of its own...
, discourse analysis
Discourse analysis
Discourse analysis , or discourse studies, is a general term for a number of approaches to analyzing written, spoken, signed language use or any significant semiotic event....
, advertising, and the language of food politics
Food politics
Food politics are the political aspects of the production, control, regulation, inspection and distribution of food. The politics can be affected by the ethical, cultural, medical and environmental disputes concerning proper farming, agricultural and retailing methods and...
.
He is known for three strands of research:
- on language teaching, where he has argued for a return to the use of translation and bilingual methods, and for a move away from what he considers to be dull functional approaches
- on language play and creativity, not only in literature and genres such as advertising, but as a phenomenon which permeates language use, bringing with it educational, social and cognitive benefits
- on the language of food politics, in particular genetically modifiedGenetically modified foodGenetically modified foods are foods derived from genetically modified organisms . Genetically modified organisms have had specific changes introduced into their DNA by genetic engineering techniques...
(GM) and organic foodOrganic foodOrganic foods are foods that are produced using methods that do not involve modern synthetic inputs such as synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers, do not contain genetically modified organisms, and are not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or chemical food additives.For the...
, where he has shown how the campaign for GM crops and food is in his belief unscientific, driven by partisan interests, and characterised by bullying tactics, irrational arguments, and emotive language.
Career
Cook is a graduate of the University of CambridgeUniversity of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, where he read English. He holds a Masters degree and PhD from the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
. He worked initially as a language teacher in the UK, Egypt, Italy and the Soviet Union, before beginning his academic career in 1985. He was a lecturer at the University of Leeds
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
1985-1991, head of Modern Languages and TESOL
TESOL
TESOL may refer to:* The acronym "Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages", used in English as a Foreign or Second Language * TESOL Inc., a professional organization based in the United States for people working in this field...
at the London University Institute of Education
Institute of Education
The Institute of Education is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom specialised in postgraduate study and research in the field of education and a constituent college of the federal University of London. It is the largest education research body in the United Kingdom, with...
1991-1998 and Professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Reading
University of Reading
The University of Reading is a university in the English town of Reading, Berkshire. The University was established in 1892 as University College, Reading and received its Royal Charter in 1926. It is based on several campuses in, and around, the town of Reading.The University has a long tradition...
, 1998-2004. He was co-editor of the journal Applied Linguistics from 2004-2009.