This book provides a comprehensive account of conversation in English and its implications for the ELT classroom. After a general overview and definition of conversation it provides the reader with a systematic description of conversational English, from the vocabulary of conversation, to grammar, discourse and genre. This is followed by an informed account of the development of conversation in both first and second language acquisition. It then describes a range of methodological approaches, procedures and techniques for teaching conversation in English. On this basis, an integrated approach to the teaching of conversation is provided, along with practical classroom applications. This book provides a comprehensive account of conversation in English and its implications for the ELT classroom. This book provides a comprehensive account of conversation in English and its implications for the ELT classroom. Scott Thornbury is Associate Professor on the MA TESOL program at the New School in New York, and has an MA (TEFL) from the University of Reading. His previous experience includes teaching and training in Egypt, UK, Spain and in his native New Zealand. He has written extensively on areas of language and methodology and is currently the series editor of the Cambridge Handbooks for Language Teachers.