During the nineteenth century throughout Europe, modern languages increasingly won a place alongside classical languages in secondary school curricula, and for utilitarian learning among adults. This gave rise to a variety of practical innovations and theoretical suggestions on foreign language teaching, which pre-dated the more co-ordinated Reform Movement of the century's last two decades.
Several innovators are particularly deserving of contemporary reassessment. Included in this set are Claude Marcel (1793-1876), Thomas Prendergast (1806-86), Francois Gouin (1831-96) and Lambert Sauveur (1826-1907).

Introduction by: Anthony P R Howatt, Anthony P.R. Howatt, Richard C Smith, Richard C. Smith