On Becoming a Language Teacher.

Underlying this essay on psycholinguistic theory is the belief that language teachers often suffer from neurotic symptoms of confusion, anxiety, and uncertainty in connection with their work. The author discusses his "BALT" theory (battered language teachers). Philosophically-oriented remarks are directed toward teachers wishing to redirect their educational philosophy and teach through a heightening and expansion of their own personal consciousness. A direct analogy between Charles A. Reich's "The Greening of America" and Jakobovits' ideas concerning 'consciousness' and 'freedom' is evident throughout this paper. It is the author's hope that a widespread conversion among language teachers of the 'old school,' based on the premises of freedom in psycholinguistic and pedagogical areas, rather than on intellectual servitude, will be forthcoming. (RL)