This edited book documents practices of learning-oriented language assessment through practitioner research and research syntheses. Learning-oriented language assessment refers to language assessment strategies that capitalise on learner differences and their relationships with the learning environments. In other words, learners are placed at the centre of the assessment process and its outcomes. The book features 17 chapters on learning-oriented language assessment practices in China, Brazil, Turkey, Norway, UK, Canada, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Spain. Chapters include teachers' reflections and practical suggestions. This book will appeal to researchers, teacher educators, and language teachers who are interested in advancing research and practice of learning-oriented language assessment.

This book evaluates the origins of processes of change in language teaching in China, and the factors influencing their success. Examining diverse experiences and drawing on the perspectives of academics from the top institutions in the country, the authors analyse the complex interplay between global and local influences on language policies. Encouraging discussion of the significant education reforms that have taken place in China in recent years, this work will be of interest to students and scholars of language education, English as a Second Language and applied linguistics.

​This book presents a unique perspective from an underrepresented region in the Global South. The volume features four different countries in the region: Barbados, Guyana, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago, as well as Martinique, an island located just north of St. Lucia which is an overseas region of France. It documents innovations in learning and teaching Spanish, French, and Chinese in the case of the English-speaking countries, and English as a foreign language (EFL) in the case of Martinique. The chapters cover different aspects of language education in the Caribbean and will be of particular interest to those involved in managing change in language education that attempts to mediate between global trends and local needs. 

- The first Handbook to unite the research on this emerging research area in one comprehensive volume - Covers the mapping, facilitating and researching of learning beyond the classroom - Includes cutting edge research from leading scholars in the field

Recent years have seen a growing interest in the pedagogical benefits of digital games, which have the potential to engage learners and to encourage interaction in the target language. The use of digital games in language education is based on the premise that successful learning is integrated into the sociocultural context of learners' lives and encourages collaboration and lifelong learning, bridging learning within and outside the language classroom. However, the potential of digital games has not been properly investigated from a second language learning and teaching perspective. This volume presents the first dedicated collection of papers to bring together the state-of-the-art in research into game-based learning. It includes theoretical, empirical, and practice-oriented contributions and as such will appeal to anyone with an interest in the most recent developments in language education.

This book examines a wide range of innovations in language learning and teaching in Japan. Each of the chapters describes the impetus for a change or new development in a particular context, from early childhood to adult learning, details its implementation and provides an evaluation of its success. In doing so, they provide a comprehensive overview of best practice in innovating language education from teaching practice in formal classroom settings, to self-directed learning beyond the classroom, and offer recommendations to enhance language education in Japan and beyond. The book will be of interest to scholars of applied linguistics and language development, and in particular to those involved in managing change in language education that attempts to mediate between global trends and local needs.

Contemporary Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) is a comprehensive, one-volume work written by leading international figures in the field focusing on a wide range of theoretical and methodological issues. It explains key terms and concepts, synthesizes the research literature and explores the implications of new and emerging technologies. The book includes chapters on key aspects for CALL such as design, teacher education, evaluation, teaching online and testing, as well as new trends such as social media. The volume takes a broad look at CALL and explores how a variety of theoretical approaches have emerged as influences including socio-cultural theory, constructivism and new literacy studies. A glossary of terms to support those new to CALL as well as to allow those already engaged in the field to deepen their existing knowledge is also provided. Contemporary Computer-Assisted Language Learning is essential reading for postgraduate students of language teaching as well as researchers in related fields involved in the study of computer-assisted learning.

The implicit/ explicit distinction is central to our understanding of the nature of L2 acquisition. This book begins with an account of how this distinction applies to L2 learning, knowledge and instruction. It then reports a series of studies describing the development of a battery of tests providing relatively discrete measurements of L2 explicit/ implicit knowledge. These tests were then utilized to examine a number of key issues in SLA - the learning difficulty of different grammatical structures, the role of L2 implicit/ explicit knowledge in language proficiency, the relationship between learning experiences and learners' language knowledge profiles, the metalinguistic knowledge of teacher trainees and the effects of different types of form-focused instruction on L2 acquisition. The book concludes with a consideration of how the tests can be further developed and applied in the study of L2 acquisition.

This title examines widespread interest in new technology-enhanced learning environments and how they are being used to promote task-based learning. This edited collection considers the relationship between task-based language teaching (TBLT) and technology-enhanced learning. TBLT is concerned with a number of macro-tasks such as information gathering and problem-solving as well as evaluative tasks, all of which are increasingly available via online and Web-based technologies. "Technology Enhanced Learning" refers to a broad conception of technology use in the language classroom and incorporates a range of interactive learning technologies such as Interactive Whiteboards and mobile learning devices. The popularity of Web 2.0 technologies (blogs, wikis, social networking sites, podcasting, and virtual worlds), as well as practical applications of mobile learning, place a fresh emphasis on creating project-orientated language learning tasks with a clear real-world significance for learners of foreign languages. This book examines the widespread interest in these new technology-enhanced learning environments and looks at how they are being used to promote task-based learning. This book will appeal to practitioners and researchers in applied linguistics, second language acquisition and education studies.

This edited collection presents a study of innovation in teaching, learning, assessment and teacher development practices in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The thirteen research-based chapters in this collection examine recent innovations in English language teaching, drawing on classroom, administrative and learning experiences from seven of the countries in the region. The major trends analyzed across the volume include the language skills of reading and writing and the prevalence of technology and technology-enhanced instruction. It highlights that innovative teaching, learning and assessment practices that are now in place in virtually all levels of English language teaching and learning from primary school to university to adult education sectors, and reflects on possible ways forward for innovation in the field of ELT. This book will provide valuable insight for scholars of applied linguistics and practitioners working in language policy,

This easy-to-follow guide is packed with advice for students of English as a second language who are studying, or planning to study, a degree taught in English, either in their home country or abroad. It provides practical advice on academic topics, including listening to lectures, group work and academic writing, and also helpful guidance for coping with language issues, making friends and dealing with culture shock. Packed with insights from real students and engaging activities, it will help them to develop the strategies and skills that they need to thrive in a new academic environment. This is an essential resource for non-native English speakers who are studying in English at degree level. It is also ideal for students who are preparing for university-level studies and for use on pre-sessional courses for international students. New to this Edition: - Fully revised and updated information and examples, with fresh coverage on standardised tests, accredited programs, conditional admission and new forms of technology for language learning - New resources and examples on studying in the US - Expanded glossary of university terms to help students get to grips with new terminology and administrative processes

Digital Language Learning and Teaching: Critical and Primary Sources brings together over 100 essential texts on digitally-assisted or enabled language learning from the inception of these technologies to their burgeoning 21st century maturity. The four volumes will focus on: 1) Theories and Frameworks 2) Focus on the Learner 3) Teaching with Computer Assisted Language Learning 4) New Developments in Computer Assisted Language Learning Each volume features an editorial introduction by a world-renowned authority on the subject and articles within them are grouped thematically. Professor Mark Warschauer (University of California-Irvine, USA) contributes an extensive Foreword for the project.

Recent years have seen a growing interest in the pedagogical benefits of digital games, which have the potential to engage learners and to encourage interaction in the target language. The use of digital games in language education is based on the premise that successful learning is integrated into the sociocultural context of learners' lives and encourages collaboration and lifelong learning, bridging learning within and outside the language classroom. However, the potential of digital games has not been properly investigated from a second language learning and teaching perspective. This volume presents the first dedicated collection of papers to bring together the state-of-the-art in research into game-based learning. It includes theoretical, empirical, and practice-oriented contributions and as such will appeal to anyone with an interest in the most recent developments in language education.

This book examines a wide range of innovations in language learning and teaching in Japan. Each of the chapters describes the impetus for a change or new development in a particular context, from early childhood to adult learning, details its implementation and provides an evaluation of its success. In doing so, they provide a comprehensive overview of best practice in innovating language education from teaching practice in formal classroom settings, to self-directed learning beyond the classroom, and offer recommendations to enhance language education in Japan and beyond. The book will be of interest to scholars of applied linguistics and language development, and in particular to those involved in managing change in language education that attempts to mediate between global trends and local needs.

This edited collection presents a study of innovation in teaching, learning, assessment and teacher development practices in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The thirteen research-based chapters in this collection examine recent innovations in English language teaching, drawing on classroom, administrative and learning experiences from seven of the countries in the region. The major trends analyzed across the volume include the language skills of reading and writing and the prevalence of technology and technology-enhanced instruction. It highlights that innovative teaching, learning and assessment practices that are now in place in virtually all levels of English language teaching and learning from primary school to university to adult education sectors, and reflects on possible ways forward for innovation in the field of ELT. This book will provide valuable insight for scholars of applied linguistics and practitioners working in language policy,

Over the last decade, task-based approaches to language learning and teaching (TBLT) have become a major focus of research in Asia in order to create curricula with authentic and meaningful engagement with language learning. Exploring the pedagogic and cultural challenges of top-down approaches to curriculum development in Asia, this book looks at the drivers, stakeholders and obstacles across the region. While some countries have adapted TBLT to deal with the local constraints, others have found it hard to apply and many are still in the process of investigating its implementation in their specific contexts. Contemporary Task-Based Language Teaching in Asia is important to all involved in language development, from curriculum reform to materials development and assists from programme evaluation to the setting of assessment standards. With case studies from 11 Asian countries, including China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Singapore, chapters cover all aspects of language education, from primary to tertiary, private and public education, as well as innovations at local, regional and national levels. Providing examples from a wide range of perspectives and methodologies, Contemporary Task-Based Language Teaching in Asia is an important contribution to TBLT research.

This revised volume brings together the best of the past with suggestions for the future and proves that teachers' imaginations continue to produce an interesting and varied range of ways to learn English within the broad guidelines of communicative language learning. New Ways in Teaching Adults, Revised provides classroom teachers with a range of activities for all stages of the learning process. The many activities included encourage discovery learning, provide practice, and extend students' learning beyond the classroom. Also, various activities allow students to work in pairs, small groups, individually, and with the entire class.

People learn foreign languages in many different contexts and for many different reasons. However, they all have in common the need to be able to learn independently in some way. The chapters in this book describe a range of contexts for independent language learning around the world, some related to children, others to adults, some to classrooms, others to self-access centres or even to distance learning. They explore a number of issues to consider when supporting these learners. In addition, a number of practical interventions are described. This book also includes a thematic bibliography of publications in this field.

Contemporary Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) is a comprehensive, one-volume work written by leading international figures in the field focusing on a wide range of theoretical and methodological issues. It explains key terms and concepts, synthesizes the research literature and explores the implications of new and emerging technologies. The book includes chapters on key aspects for CALL such as design, teacher education, evaluation, teaching online and testing, as well as new trends such as social media. The volume takes a broad look at CALL and explores how a variety of theoretical approaches have emerged as influences including socio-cultural theory, constructivism and new literacy studies. A glossary of terms to support those new to CALL as well as to allow those already engaged in the field to deepen their existing knowledge is also provided. Contemporary Computer-Assisted Language Learning is essential reading for postgraduate students of language teaching as well as researchers in related fields involved in the study of computer-assisted learning.

This edited collection considers the relationship between task-based language teaching (TBLT) and technology-enhanced learning. TBLT is concerned with a number of macro-tasks such as information gathering and problem-solving as well as evaluative tasks, all of which are increasingly available via online and Web-based technologies. Technology Enhanced Learning refers to a broad conception of technology use in the language classroom and incorporates a range of interactive learning technologies such as Interactive Whiteboards and mobile learning devices.The popularity of Web 2.0 technologies (blogs, wikis, social networking sites, podcasting, virtual worlds), as well as practical applications of mobile learning, place a fresh emphasis on creating project-orientated language learning tasks with a clear real-world significance for learners of foreign languages. This book examines the widespread interest in these new technology-enhanced learning environments and looks at how they are being used to promote task-based learning. This book will appeal to practioners and researchers in applied linguistics, second language acquisition and education studies.

The implicit/ explicit distinction is central to our understanding of the nature of L2 acquisition. This book begins with an account of how this distinction applies to L2 learning, knowledge and instruction. It then reports a series of studies describing the development of a battery of tests providing relatively discrete measurements of L2 explicit/ implicit knowledge. These tests were then utilized to examine a number of key issues in SLA - the learning difficulty of different grammatical structures, the role of L2 implicit/ explicit knowledge in language proficiency, the relationship between learning experiences and learners' language knowledge profiles, the metalinguistic knowledge of teacher trainees and the effects of different types of form-focused instruction on L2 acquisition. The book concludes with a consideration of how the tests can be further developed and applied in the study of L2 acquisition.

This book has a clear message for classroom teachers: student learning improves when teachers introduce their students to strategies for learning as well as teaching them specific language skills. In practice, however, many of the students themselves are more teacher-centered, finding it easier and preferable to depend on their teachers rather than to take on greater responsibility for their own learning, especially if their educational and cultural backgrounds have not prepared them for this new role. Using Student-Centered Methods with Teacher-Centered Students is packed with suggestions for bringing about a successful match between teachers' preferred ways of teaching and learners' preferred ways of learning, while gradually encouraging increased learner autonomy. The original edition of this book has been widely used by English language teachers worldwide. This new edition offers many fresh ideas, particularly in the area of technology in language learning and teaching.