The Language Teacher

The TLT special issue on NLP was not intended as a primer in NLP. The issue offered sample applications--not a coherent introduction or a defense of it. In the introduction to the volume, we attempted to make that clear. Also for that reason, we intentionally included an extensive bibliography and a resources list.

NLP has been around for about 25 years. The sources of contemporary NLP are indeed quite varied, including cognitive psychology, clinical hypnosis, NLP-based research, motivational training, etc. The word "programming" today does have a negative ring to it which it did not have two decades ago. Many in NLP, in fact, have suggested changing the term "Neuro Linguistic Programming" to "Neuro Linguistic Psychology."

The reason for the popularity of NLP is that it is liberating. It gives people control over their own lives and their communication and makes them far less susceptible to negative and unproductive "suggestion" from any source. Bolstand (1997) in his most recent publication comments that, "I use NLP because it's an excellent model of how human beings work. Notice that I didn't say, 'I use NLP because NLP works.' Actually NLP doesn't work. To claim that NLP works, regardless of the person, would violate the presuppositions of NLP. Each person is in charge of their neurology, and no system (including NLP) ever takes that [potential] ability away from them."

Thus, NLP may in some ways be the very best antidote to what some people refer to as an "authority complex." NLP has much in common with creativity training in that it refines the ability to access and communicate better through all our senses. It is empowering. Like all serious disciplines, however, the skills are perhaps best learned by working closely with teachers, "authorities" if you will, who can assist students in achieving that independence and perspective more quickly and more efficiently. Also as noted in the Introduction to the special issue, to really appreciate and use what is of value in NLP, it is useful to experience it up close. What NLP does focus on is, of course, not "new," but the systematic way it deals with these "communication skills" is well worth exploring, especially for language teachers

Bolstad, R.and Hamblett, M. (1997). Postframing: Finding The excellence that was there. Anchor Point,, 11(2), p. 3-8.

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