Bethan Marshall traces the competing traditions of English teaching and considers their relevance to the current debate through an analysis of English teachers’ views about themselves and their subject. The findings are based on a highly original research method in which teachers were asked to respond to and comment upon five different descriptions of their approaches to English teaching.English Teachers – The Unofficial Guide:*contextualises current debates about English teaching within the subject’s contested history*provides a vehicle for teachers to reflect on their own practice and locate themselves within the debate*opens up the debate on assessment practices within English teaching.