Bridging English, fourth edition, is a comprehensive English methods text that is structured on James Moffett's conception of the "universe of discourse" in the teaching of English: talking and listening, writing and reading. The textbook combines theory and practice, that is, overarching structures with particular instructional strategies. It provides prospective teachers with a huge array of approaches and activities that are active, constructivist, and student-centered. It mirrors that emphasis with boxed Invitations to Reflection that continually survey its readers about their experiences of English classrooms, their new learnings as they read the text, and their projection into classroom teaching of their own. It takes into account the range of student learners a teacher will teach from the gifted to the reluctant and struggling. It addresses the special needs of English language learners. It also anticipates the need of its readers -- prospective teachers -- to put theory and method into practice by designing and delivering effective units and lessons. In several chapters on pedagogy, it helps them answer questions such as: How do I actually teach writing? design a unit? evaluate student learning? This edition also addresses many of the most persistent issues that arise within the field, issues that bubble up in individual classrooms, English departments, and school communities and in the general culture.