In view of the many and varied language problems in the typical Australian school, a general course in language studies is essential for all teachers. This paper attempts to suggest a basic orientation and a set of guiding principles for such a course. The content of a general language course is discussed in terms of what a teacher needs to know about language in order to facilitate language development in the students. Theoretical linguistics offers some insights, but because of the orientation of linguistic science, its applications to education are extremely limited. Certain linguistic principles are outlined that can be redeveloped in educationally relevant terms, and that concentrate on the nature of word and text. (Author/CFM)