Language Teaching Research and Language Pedagogy

Rod Ellis is currently Professor in the Department of Applied Language Studies and Linguistics, University of Auckland, where he teaches postgraduate courses on second language acquisition, individual differences in language learning and task-based teaching.  His books include Understanding Second Language Acquisition (winner of the BAAL Prize, 1986), The Study of Second Language Acquisition (winner of the Duke of Edinburgh prize, 1995), Task-Based Learning and Teaching (2003), and Analyzing Learner Language (with Gary Barkhuizen, 2005).

“Language teaching research and language pedagogy are complex and dynamic topics with a rich research tradition. Ellis succeeds in this volume in synthesizing a wide body of research … providing valuable information about language teaching, learning, and research. Both language teachers and researchers can benefit from this informative volume … The book has several strengths [offering] a holistic updated picture of diverse topics in the field … Insights and suggestions are provided throughout to make research findings into practical technical knowledge for language teachers.” Linguist List (29th October, 2013)“This book provides a comprehensive, state-of-the-art review of L2 classroom research covering a wide range of issues in SLA and language education. There are a number of useful tables and figures that present concise syntheses of complex issues. Although the volume addresses little about the development of specific language skills, it should be an essential read for teachers and researchers who wish to browse the major findings of empirical studies that inform language classroom practice.”  (Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 1 August 2013)“The discussion of each study is critical but fair, and in explaining the methodological limitations of each study, Ellis provides readers with numerous ideas for how they could contribute to language teaching research in the future.”  (The Modern Language Journal, 22 August 2013)

• List of Figures vi List of Tables viiPreface ixAcknowledgements xiii1 Introduction: Developments in Language Teaching Research 12 Methods for Researching the Second Language Classroom 213 Comparative Method Studies 514 Second Language Classroom Discourse 755 Focus on the Teacher 1156 Focus on the Learner 1517 Investigating the Performance of Tasks 1958 Interaction and L2 Learning in the Classroom 2379 Form-Focused Instruction and Second Language Learning 27110 Instruction, Individual Differences and L2 Learning 30711 Conclusion: Research and Language Teaching 337References 349Index 385