Chapter 1. Introduction

This chapter introduces the collection of papers and situates it against previous and current research on task-based language teaching (TBLT). The chapter first contextualizes the theme of the volume within the field of TBLT, arguing that there is a need to broaden the perspective of TBLT scholarship to include the contribution of research in foreign language (FL) contexts. First, it will be argued, as attested by several contributions to this volume, that the manner in which TBLT is researched, implemented, and used in FL contexts depends on conditions and social practices that do not necessarily coincide with those in second language (SL) contexts. Next, a brief description of what constitutes a FL, or English as a foreign language (EFL), context will follow as a prelude to the discussion of the factors and problems that characterize educational settings in FL contexts. After that, an overview is provided of the chapters that make up this collection, showing how each chapter contributes to the theme of the volume, and signaling how it relates to other chapters. The chapter concludes with a few, but important remarks, on the scope and significance of the volume, calling for more rigorous research in other EFL settings in the world, which thus far are underrepresented within TBLT research.

Published online: 17 October 2012
https://doi.org/10.1075/tblt.4.03she