on language teaching, where he has argued for a return to the use of translation and bilingual methods, and for a move away from what he considers to be dull functional approaches[5]
on language play and creativity, not only in literature and genres such as advertising, but as a phenomenon which permeates language use, bringing with it educational, social, and cognitive benefits[citation needed]
on the language of food politics, in particular
genetically modified (GM) and
organic food, where he has shown how the campaign for GM crops and food is in his belief unscientific, driven by partisan interests, and characterised by bullying tactics, irrational arguments, and emotive language.[citation needed]
Career
Cook is a graduate of the
University of Cambridge, where he read English. He holds a master's degree and a Ph.D. from the
University of London. He worked initially as a language teacher in the UK, Egypt, Italy, and the Soviet Union, before beginning his academic career in 1985. He was a lecturer at the
University of Leeds 1985–1991, head of Modern Languages and
TESOL at the London University
Institute of Education 1991–1998, Professor of Applied Linguistics at the
University of Reading 1998–2004, and Professor of Language and Education at
The Open University 2005–2012. He was co-editor of the journal
Applied Linguistics from 2004 to 2009.[1]