Anthrogogy in Use: A Handbook for Language Educators, edited by Dr. Shree Deepa and Prof. Geetha Durairajan, was launched at two academic events held in Chennai and Hyderabad in June and July 2026. Published by Orient BlackSwan, the volume offers a comprehensive engagement with anthrogogy and its applications in language teaching, learning and assessment.
The first launch was held at Anna Centenary Library, Kotturpuram, Chennai, on 19 June 2026, in an event organised by Orient BlackSwan. Prof. Shrimathy V. of Anna University, Chennai, and Prof. S. P. Dhanavel of IIT Madras were part of the panel along wih Prof. Geetha Durairajan and Dr. Shree Deepa.
The book was subsequently launched at the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU), Hyderabad, on 6 July 2026, as part of the EFLU Alumni Connect initiative. Prof. N. Nagaraju, Vice-Chancellor, EFLU, was the Chief Guest. The event brought together the editors, Prof. Geetha Durairajan (Retd.), School of English Language Education, EFLU, and Dr. Shree Deepa, Associate Professor, Centre for English Language Studies (CELS), University of Hyderabad. A panel discussion was followed by the book launch, attended by the contributors and editors.
The handbook engages with the question of how learning can be reconceptualised when learners are not simply expected to reproduce predetermined ‘right’ answers. It foregrounds learning as a process involving choice, reasoning, reflection and consequence, thereby positioning adult learners as active participants in their learning contexts. Prof. V. Prakasam, Professor of Linguistics (Retd.), EFLU, shared his views on the book, stating, “It is not an ordinary edited book. It is not merely a collection of different chapters by different authors. I get the feeling that this will be received as a book that is totally self-sufficient in terms of theory, methodology, and application. The book can help a department run a special course on training educators.” The audience found immense value in the book and the stalls were sold out as rightly predicted by Prof. Saraswati.
The volume comprises critical introductions to anthrogogy and its implications for teaching and assessment, essays by experienced educators, adaptable classroom tasks, and student essays documenting the impact of anthrogogic approaches at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It seeks to bridge the gap between classroom practices and real-world readiness by bringing together theoretical insights and practical strategies for language educators. Of the twelve contributors to the volume, two scholars, Shadab Khan and Amaratheja Ambati, who are currently working with Dr. Shree Deepa at the Centre for English Language Studies (CELS), University of Hyderabad, have contributed chapters to the book. Two CELS alumni, Nidhi and Meghna, have also contributed chapters, making the volume a noteworthy example of academic collaboration that brings together current scholars and alumni of the Centre.
The book has also received endorsements from noted scholars. Prof. Jacob Tharu, Professor of Evaluation (Retd.), EFLU, highlights its contribution to understanding how adults learn, while Prof. V. Saraswati, Professor of English (Retd.), University of Madras, describes it as a significant contribution to anthrogogy in the adult classroom. Both of them emphasised that the book is timely and highly relevant, addressing key concerns through its primary arguments.
The publication is particularly significant for the University of Hyderabad, with Dr. Shree Deepa serving as one of its editors. Her work in anthrogogy, language potentiality, inclusive education and teacher education has contributed to developing and applying anthrogogic perspectives in language education.
Anthrogogy in Use: A Handbook for Language Educators thus represents a significant contribution to emerging conversations on adult learning and language education in the Indian context, bringing together theory, classroom practice and learner perspectives.
Report contribution: Amaratheja Ambati, Ph.D. Research Scholar, CELS, University of Hyderabad.