A. S. Hornby
Encyclopedia
Albert Sidney Hornby, usually just A. S. Hornby, 1898–1978, was an English
grammarian, lexicographer, and pioneer in the field of English language learning and teaching
(ELT).
Hornby was born in Chester and educated at University College London
. In April 1924 he went to Japan to teach English at Oita University
. He joined Harold E. Palmer
in his programme of vocabulary research at the Institute for Research in English Teaching (IRET). Palmer invited him to Tokyo
in April 1933 as an assistant; in 1936, Horner became the technical adviser and editor of IRET's Bulletin.
He began work the following year with E. V. Gatenby and H. Wakefield on a new type of dictionary
that was aimed at foreign learners
of English, the first monolingual learners' dictionary. It was completed in 1940 and published by Kaitakusha two years later in Tokyo as The Idiomatic and Syntactic English Dictionary. After leaving Japan in 1942, Hornby joined the British Council
and later became the first editor of the journal English Language Teaching, launched in October 1946.
In 1948 his dictionary was reissued by Oxford University Press
as A Learner's Dictionary of Current English. The subsequent editions of the dictionary were and continue to be a great commercial success in ELT publishing. It is now in its eighth edition and is known as the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
.
The A.S. Hornby Educational Trust was established in 1961. The Trust supports ELT practitioners from developing countries and countries in transition.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
grammarian, lexicographer, and pioneer in the field of English language learning and teaching
English language learning and teaching
English as a second language , English for speakers of other languages and English as a foreign language all refer to the use or study of English by speakers with different native languages. The precise usage, including the different use of the terms ESL and ESOL in different countries, is...
(ELT).
Hornby was born in Chester and educated at University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
. In April 1924 he went to Japan to teach English at Oita University
Oita University
is a national university in Ōita, Ōita, Japan. The precursor of the school was founded in 1921 and was chartered as a university in 1949....
. He joined Harold E. Palmer
Harold E. Palmer
Harold Edward Palmer, usually just Harold E. Palmer was an English linguist, phonetician and pioneer in the field of English language learning and teaching. Especially he dedicated himself to Oral Method. He stayed in Japan for 14 years and reformed its English education...
in his programme of vocabulary research at the Institute for Research in English Teaching (IRET). Palmer invited him to Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
in April 1933 as an assistant; in 1936, Horner became the technical adviser and editor of IRET's Bulletin.
He began work the following year with E. V. Gatenby and H. Wakefield on a new type of dictionary
Dictionary
A dictionary is a collection of words in one or more specific languages, often listed alphabetically, with usage information, definitions, etymologies, phonetics, pronunciations, and other information; or a book of words in one language with their equivalents in another, also known as a lexicon...
that was aimed at foreign learners
Language education
Language education is the teaching and learning of a foreign or second language. Language education is a branch of applied linguistics.- Need for language education :...
of English, the first monolingual learners' dictionary. It was completed in 1940 and published by Kaitakusha two years later in Tokyo as The Idiomatic and Syntactic English Dictionary. After leaving Japan in 1942, Hornby joined the British Council
British Council
The British Council is a United Kingdom-based organisation specialising in international educational and cultural opportunities. It is registered as a charity both in England and Wales, and in Scotland...
and later became the first editor of the journal English Language Teaching, launched in October 1946.
In 1948 his dictionary was reissued by Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
as A Learner's Dictionary of Current English. The subsequent editions of the dictionary were and continue to be a great commercial success in ELT publishing. It is now in its eighth edition and is known as the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
The first Advanced learner's dictionary was the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, first published 60 years ago. It is the largest English language dictionary from Oxford University Press aimed at a non-native audience...
.
The A.S. Hornby Educational Trust was established in 1961. The Trust supports ELT practitioners from developing countries and countries in transition.