The Multilingual Turn - A Critical for Applied Linguistics

In this review of The Multilingual Turn, readers will find a focused critique and alternative to long-standing monolingual assumptions in applied linguistics; the book is best for instructors, researchers, and advanced students seeking a theoretical shift toward bilingual and multilingual perspectives. Stephen May presents a sustained argument against concepts tied to monolingual norms and reframes pedagogy around the multiple competencies of bi/multilingual learners, making the volume valuable for anyone rethinking classroom goals and research frameworks.

Key Features

• Critique of monolingual bias: The book carefully examines how the idealized native speaker and related constructs have shaped SLA, TESOL, and bilingual education, offering readers a coherent critical perspective.
• Multilingual reframing: It advances an approach that foregrounds the multiple competencies of bi/multilingual learners as the foundation for teaching and assessment.
• Research-grounded discussion: Drawing on recent bilingual and multilingual research, the volume links theory to contemporary empirical work in applied linguistics.
• Pedagogical implications: The text outlines alternatives to traditional pedagogies and practices, helping teachers consider practical shifts in classroom design and goals.
• Field-wide relevance: It situates multilingualism centrally across SLA, TESOL, and bilingual education rather than as a peripheral topic.

Who It's For

The Multilingual Turn is aimed at graduate students, teacher-educators, applied linguistics researchers, and policy-influencers who want a sustained critique of monolingual frameworks and concrete rationale for centering multilingual competence in instruction. Those designing curricula or conducting research on language assessment will find the arguments and literature synthesis particularly useful.

Readers seeking an introductory textbook for beginners or a step-by-step classroom manual should look elsewhere; this volume is analytical and theoretical rather than a how-to guide for novice teachers. It is strongest when used alongside empirical studies and practical resources that translate the critique into classroom materials.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a clear, research-informed critique of monolingual assumptions that reshapes how practitioners view learner competence.
• Offers a coherent alternative framework that elevates the strengths of bi/multilingual learners for teaching and assessment.
• Bridges disciplinary conversations across SLA, TESOL, and bilingual education to reposition multilingualism in applied linguistics.

Cons

• Does not function as a practical classroom handbook, so teachers wanting immediate lesson plans may need additional resources.

Specifications

Our Verdict

The Multilingual Turn is a valuable, thought-provoking book for scholars and experienced practitioners who want to challenge monolingual norms and adopt a strengths-based view of multilingual learners; it represents good value as a conceptual resource that can reshape research questions and inform policy and higher-level curriculum design.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book practical for classroom teachers?
It is primarily theoretical and critical, offering pedagogical implications but not lesson-by-lesson materials, so pair it with classroom resources for practice.

Who benefits most from reading this volume?
Graduate students, researchers, and teacher-educators engaged with SLA, TESOL, or bilingual education will gain the most from its arguments.

Does the book rely on recent research?
Yes, it draws on the latest developments in bilingual and multilingual research to support its critique and alternatives.