Here’s what I think about several TESOL debates   Every academic field has its controversies, as well as its sacred cows – ideas and approaches everyone is afraid to challenge for fear of being seen as an oddball.  Since the whole point of academic debate is to foster open discussion, I think any idea which has become de rigueur is due for a second look, even if only to confirm its validity.   That’s why on this page I will periodically upload opinion pieces about various TESOL subjects.  What is “comprehensible input,” and is it really necessary to provide it if students are to have any chance of learning a new language?  Is there really any such thing as a polyseme, a word with more than one basic meaning?  Or are we better off encouraging our students to conceive of each new word as having a stable core of meaning from which other senses are derived?  Should all classrooms be run “communicatively,” or are there times, places and purposes for which a more “traditional” approach might be called for, and if so, how can we recognize them?  I have definite opinions on these and other TESOL-related topics which I will make available on this page from time to time, so check back often, and be sure to ask me if you yourself have a question about how to approach any matter within the prevue of English language education.  Debate and discussion can be fun, so let’s have at it!