Teach Yourself

Teach Yourself is a British self-instruction publishing imprint whose origins date to 1938. It began as a book series issued by the English Universities Press, a Hodder & Stoughton subsidiary, and developed into one of the most recognizable general-interest instructional series in the English-language book market. The imprint was designed around the idea that readers could acquire practical knowledge independently, without formal classroom instruction. Its subjects have ranged from languages and mathematics to science, technology, music, crafts, domestic skills, vocational subjects and general intellectual interests. The first volumes appeared in 1938 at a price of two shillings and sixpence. Leonard Cutts served as the series's overall editor from its launch until 1964, helping establish a consistent editorial and visual identity. Early books included titles on mathematics, thinking, amateur acting, embroidery, Greek history and practical household subjects. Although some of the earliest books adapted existing works, later volumes were generally commissioned specifically for the series. The numbering system eventually extended beyond 700 titles, while a 1958 guide compiled by A. R. Taylor catalogued the titles available up to that point. The series expanded particularly rapidly during the Second World War. Several books addressed subjects relevant to military service, technical work and national preparedness. Teach Yourself to Fly, written by Nigel Tangye, appeared shortly before the war and was recommended by the Air Ministry to prospective Royal Air Force pilots. Teach Yourself Radio Communication and Teach Yourself Air Navigation followed in 1941. Wartime demand was strong despite paper shortages. Contemporary reporting cited very high sales for mathematics and trigonometry titles, illustrating the series's reach among service personnel, students and general readers. The original English Universities Press phase lasted from 1938 to 1966. From 1966 onward, the books were published by Hodder & Stoughton, and in 1973 the format shifted toward trade paperbacks. The imprint retained its broad self-help and instructional purpose while adapting its design and subject mix to changing reading habits. Older editions are particularly associated with yellow-and-blue, and earlier black-and-yellow, jackets. Later redesigns included an all-blue paperback style in the 1980s and photographic or illustrated covers with a black title stripe in the 1990s. A major redesign in 2010 introduced full-colour production and a yellow rounded-rectangle logo with a black border. Language education became the imprint's strongest contemporary area. The Teach Yourself Languages range offers courses in more than 65 languages and organizes learning across four principal strands: Get Talking, Get Started, Complete and Enjoy. These products target different stages of learning, from short audio-based introductions for absolute beginners to broader courses covering reading, writing, listening and speaking, and more advanced vocabulary and grammar development. The series aligns its four levels with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. In 2012 it introduced the Discovery Method, which emphasizes learning through conversation, usage and guided practice rather than relying primarily on formal rule memorization. Teach Yourself also continues to publish instructional material outside languages, including books on computers, games, crafts, hobbies and other practical or general-interest subjects. Its business model has expanded beyond conventional books to include audio and multimedia learning products. By the series's fiftieth anniversary in 1988, reported cumulative sales had reached approximately 40 million copies and turnover was reported at more than £1 million, although the available reference does not establish comparable current financial figures. Today, Teach Yourself remains an active Hodder Education imprint with a broad internati…

Teach Yourself originated in Britain in 1938 as a self-instruction book series published by the English Universities Press, which was owned by Hodder & Stoughton. Its founding concept was straightforward: provide affordable, clearly organized books that allowed readers to learn without attending a formal course. The earliest books covered a broad selection of subjects, including mathematics, languages, practical domestic skills, the arts and general knowledge. The first five volumes adapted earlier works, but the series subsequently relied mainly on newly commissioned titles. Leonard Cutts was the overall editor from the series's launch until 1964. Under his editorship, Teach Yourself developed a recognizable editorial system and a common physical design. The initial books were issued at two shillings and sixpence, and the catalogue expanded steadily. The official numbering system began in 1949, although earlier books were later assigned numbers retrospectively. By 1958, A. R. Taylor's A Concise Guide to Teach Yourself listed the titles then available, providing a snapshot of the series's substantial breadth. The Second World War accelerated the importance of the imprint. Alongside general educational books, the publisher issued works intended to support military service, technical competence and national resilience. Teach Yourself to Fly appeared on the eve of the war and was recommended by the Air Ministry to prospective RAF pilots. Teach Yourself Radio Communication and Teach Yourself Air Navigation were published in 1941. Mathematics and trigonometry books also sold in very large numbers during this period, despite shortages of paper and other publishing constraints. The series consequently served sailors, soldiers, airmen, students and civilian readers at a time when accessible technical knowledge was especially valued. The original English Universities Press period continued until 1966. Publication then moved under the Hodder & Stoughton imprint, which later shifted the books into trade paperback form in 1973. Across the following decades, the catalogue continued to combine language study with books on science, technology, computing, crafts, hobbies, domestic life and other practical subjects. The brand's visual identity changed several times. Earlier editions were associated with distinctive yellow-and-blue or black-and-yellow jackets, while the 1980s brought an all-blue paperback treatment and the 1990s introduced larger photographic or illustrated covers with a black title band. In 2010, the series received another major redesign, including colour printing and a yellow rounded-rectangle logo. Language education gradually became the central contemporary focus. The Teach Yourself Languages portfolio expanded to more than 65 languages and was organized into four principal strands. Get Talking is an audio-led entry course for rapid acquisition of basic spoken language. Get Started provides a broader beginner's introduction across the main language skills. Complete offers a longer and more comprehensive beginner course, while Enjoy develops vocabulary and grammar beyond the initial stage. The four levels are presented in relation to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. In 2012, the range introduced the Discovery Method, which uses dialogue, explanation and practice to make language patterns accessible without placing primary emphasis on abstract grammatical rules. The imprint has also developed short introductory publishing through the All That Matters series, whose stated purpose is to give readers a concise route into a subject. More generally, the brand now combines books with audio and multimedia learning materials. By its fiftieth anniversary in 1988, the series was reported to have sold around 40 million copies and generated turnover of more than £1 million. Current Teach Yourself products are published within the Hodder Education business and remain available across English-speaking markets, with self-directed language learning as the imprint's strongest area.

• 2012

  Discovery Method introduced

  [1]Teach Yourselfen.wikipedia.org

  The language range adds the Discovery Method, emphasizing conversational usage and guided practice.

• 2010

  Colour redesign

  [1]Teach Yourselfen.wikipedia.org

  The books receive a major redesign and are printed in colour for the first time.

• 1988

  Fiftieth anniversary

  [1]Teach Yourselfen.wikipedia.org

  At the series's fiftieth anniversary, reported cumulative sales reach approximately 40 million copies.

• 1973

  Trade paperback format adopted

  [1]Teach Yourselfen.wikipedia.org

  The books shift toward trade paperback presentation.

• 1966

  Hodder & Stoughton publication phase begins

  [1]Teach Yourselfen.wikipedia.org

  After the English Universities Press period, Teach Yourself books continue under Hodder & Stoughton's publishing operation.

• 1958

  Catalogue guide published

  [1]Teach Yourselfen.wikipedia.org

  A. R. Taylor compiles A Concise Guide to Teach Yourself, listing the titles available up to that time.

• 1949

  Official numbering begins

  [1]Teach Yourselfen.wikipedia.org

  The series's official numbering scheme begins, with earlier volumes later assigned numbers retrospectively.

• 1941

  Wartime technical titles added

  [1]Teach Yourselfen.wikipedia.org

  Teach Yourself Radio Communication and Teach Yourself Air Navigation join the catalogue during the Second World War.

• 1938

  Series launches

  [1]Teach Yourselfen.wikipedia.org

  Teach Yourself begins as an English Universities Press series with books covering independent study in subjects such as mathematics, languages, practical skills and the arts.

Accessible, structured and practical self-directed learning for general readers, with particular strength in language education.

• Language education

  Teach Yourself Languages

  The imprint's principal contemporary product family, offering self-study materials in more than 65 languages. The range is structured into four learning levels associated with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and combines books with audio or other learning media. It is designed for independent learners, particularly beginners and readers progressing beyond introductory study.

• Audio language course

  Get Talking

  An audio-led beginner strand intended to help learners acquire basic spoken language in a relatively short course. It is aimed at absolute beginners or people returning to a language after a long period away from formal study, with emphasis on practical communication rather than a comprehensive treatment of every language skill.

• Beginner language course

  Get Started

  A beginner-oriented language strand covering a wider range of abilities than the audio-only introductory format. The course addresses reading, writing, listening and speaking and is intended for learners who want a structured first foundation in a language.

• Comprehensive language course

  Complete

  The broadest beginner course in the Teach Yourself Languages structure. Complete courses provide a longer treatment of the language and cover a wider range of vocabulary, grammar and practical communication than the shorter introductory strands. The format is available across the largest portion of the language catalogue.

• Intermediate language course

  Enjoy

  A follow-on language strand intended to extend a learner's vocabulary and grammatical range after basic study. It was previously marketed under names such as Perfect your... or Improve your..., and occupies the more advanced position within the four-part language-learning structure.

• Introductory reference books

  All That Matters

  A series of concise introductions designed to help readers quickly understand the central ideas of a subject. It extends Teach Yourself's self-directed learning proposition beyond formal courses and language instruction into accessible overviews of varied topics.

• General self-instruction books · 1938

  Original Teach Yourself subject series

  The historical catalogue covered an unusually wide range of subjects, including mathematics, algebra, calculus, astronomy, biology, chemistry, atomic physics, banking, child-rearing, dressmaking, beekeeping, embroidery, etching, music composition and technical topics such as jet engines and rocket propulsion. Language titles included Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Hindustani, Irish and Turkish.

• 2012

  Discovery Method added to language coursesProduct launch

  Background

  The language range sought to make self-study more practical and less dependent on traditional rule-first instruction.

  Action taken

  The Discovery Method was introduced, using conversations followed by explanations focused on usage and practice.

  Aftermath

  The method became a distinctive feature of the language-learning range.

  Source

• 2010

  Visual identity and production redesignGeneration change

  Background

  The imprint updated its long-established common design to suit contemporary readers and retail presentation.

  Action taken

  The books were redesigned, printed in colour and given a refreshed yellow logo treatment.

  Aftermath

  The updated format became the basis for the modern presentation of the series.

  Source

• 1973

  Trade paperback format adoptedStrategy

  Background

  The series needed to remain commercially accessible as book formats and retail presentation evolved.

  Action taken

  Teach Yourself books shifted toward trade paperback publication.

  Aftermath

  The format supported the imprint's continued presence in the mass-market and general trade-book environment.

  Source

• 1966

  Publication responsibility moves to Hodder & StoughtonStrategy

  Background

  The original English Universities Press phase ended after nearly three decades, while the Teach Yourself series continued within the wider Hodder & Stoughton publishing operation.

  Action taken

  Hodder & Stoughton became the publishing home for subsequent Teach Yourself books.

  Aftermath

  The imprint continued expanding its general self-instruction catalogue and later developed a stronger emphasis on languages.

  Source

1. 1Teach Yourselfen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Teach Yourself official websiteteachyourself.co.uk