September 29, 2026
For educators helping students navigate the complexities of American English, understanding grammar is only the beginning.
In Elements of American English: A Handbook for Teachers and Learners, authors Bonnie J. Johnson, Ph.D., Award-winning Author and Literacy Expert, and Yvonne Pratt-Johnson, Ed.D., Professor, Department of Education Specialties, in The School of Education at St. John’s University, offer educators a practical reference guide that goes beyond traditional approaches to language instruction. Published by Peter Lang, the book is designed for teachers of high school and adult English as New Language learners, while also providing valuable insights for educators across academic disciplines.
As educators, Dr. Johnson and Dr. Pratt-Johnson bring their experience and commitment to teaching and learning to this book. Their work reflects a shared belief that effective language instruction extends beyond grammar to include the cultural, historical, and linguistic nuances that shape how English is understood and used.
Their inspiration grew from a shared belief that preparing educators to teach English learners requires a broader understanding of language than conventional grammar texts typically provide. Teacher education programs commonly introduce future educators to foundational components of language, including syntax, semantics, morphology, and phonology.
While these areas are essential, Dr. Johnson and Dr. Pratt-Johnson recognized an opportunity to expand the conversation by examining other dimensions of American English that influence how learners understand, interpret, and engage with the language. Elements of American English addresses that need. The book introduces readers to topics such as figurative language, onomastics, and common ambiguities in American English. It also explores the rationale for studying American English, provides a brief history of its development, and considers historical documents and speeches as part of the broader linguistic and cultural landscape.
Rather than presenting English simply as a collection of grammatical rules, the book invites readers to experience language as something living, evolving, and deeply connected to American history, humor, and creativity. That broader approach also extends the book’s relevance beyond the traditional English-language classroom. Because English learners encounter language across every area of study, Elements of American English can serve as a valuable companion for educators throughout the curriculum, including those who teach academic subjects other than English.
Through this timely resource, they invite educators to see American English not simply as a language to be taught, but as a dynamic story to be explored. Elements of American English equips teachers with a broader lens for helping learners develop not only language proficiency, but also the cultural understanding and confidence needed to communicate, connect, and thrive.