This introduction to linguistics textbook presents a totally new concept in how to teach language in the classroom--a socio-cultural approach. 

In the explanations of language structure (the usual focus in such textbooks) the authors instead emphasize variation in both structure and use, as well as the socio-cultural implications of variation and its impact on reading, writing, and spelling.  The book includes the standard chapters on language structure, language acquisition and socialization, language variation, bilingualism and second language learning–while also including chapters on language and reading, language and writing, and language and spelling–and emphasizing how socio-cultural linguistics might impact these essential practices.