This book offers a lively introduction to the research methods and techniques available to English language teachers who wish to investigate aspects of their own practice. It covers qualitative and quantitative methodology and includes sections on observation, introspection, diary studies, experiments, interviews, questionnaires, numerical techniques and case study research. Each method is illustrated with examples in language teaching contexts, and techniques of data collection and analysis are introduced. The authors focus particularly on research in the classroom, on tests, materials, the effects of innovations, and they discuss methods appropriate to research in various collaborative modes as well as by individuals. A key feature of the book is an introduction to the debate surrounding different approaches to research, with an evaluation of traditional research in relation to the paradigms associated with reflective practice and action research. The book is ideal for teachers on initial training and post-experience courses, students on degree programmes in applied linguistics and TEFL and, of course, practising teachers with an interest in research methods in language teaching.

This text is primarily addressed to the practising teachers of language and explains how to conduct research in their own teaching context. A range of different kinds of research is covered from case studies of individuals to surveys and experiments. The background to techniques discussed, cover issues such as the relevance of traditional research criteria, the comparison of qualitative and quantitative methods, the importance of action research and the generation of research topics. Examples of language teaching research are used to illustrate the argument and techniques discussed.

This title covers those areas of applied language study that are most directly relevant to language teaching, testing and teacher education. It focuses on the fundamental questions raised for research by the practice of language teaching and research. The reader is thus introduced to the contemporary research climate through consideration of germane controversial issues. If any conclusion about applied linguistic research since the 1980s is possible, it is that we can not take anything for granted. This text opens with examples of language teaching, teaching materials and learning a foreign language, which teachers and language readers will recognise, drawing out questions from these which are addressed throughout the rest of the text. Arguments and data from research of all kinds are brought to bear on these and other background issues that are raised, for example: the nature and effects of classroom discourse; the challenges and utility of linguistic theory and linguistic descriptions; what knowing a second language means for proficiency and for processing; nature and nurture in second language learning; how people process language in classrooms and beyond; the role of instructio