This book is one in a series aimed at introducing teachers with little background in linguistics and applied linguistics to a range of language-related issues. Other books in the series include Introducing Applied Linguistics, Introducing Discourse Analysis, and Introducing Listening. This book by van Lier has the goal of developing “an understanding of the human faculty of language and its role in thinking, learning and social life” (p. xi). Chapter 2, “The Building Blocks of Language,” briefly introduces readers to the phonetic alphabet, assimilation, intonation, morphemes, and syntax. Readers of SSLA (who are not the intended audience) will find, because of its introductory nature, that it does not take them far in their knowledge of language awareness. Teachers new to applied linguistics will find it very accessible and easy to read.