'This volume presents a plethora of detail on conducting studies and investigating pedagogic tasks. It raises though-provoking and insightful issues and research questions in task-based teaching and testing.' Hameed Esmaeili, Modern Language Centre, OISE/UT

General Editor: Christopher N. Candlin,
Chair Professor of Applied Linguistics, Centre for English Language Education and Communication Research, Department of English, City University of Hong Kong

Since it was first established in the 1970's the Applied Linguistics and Language Study Series has become a major force in the study of practical problems in human communication and language education. Drawing extensively on empirical research and theoretical work in linguistics, sociology, psychology and education, the series explores key issues in language acquisition and language use.


Researching Pedagogic Tasks brings together a series of empirical studies into the use of pedagogical tasks for second language learning, with a view to better understanding the structure of tasks, their impact on students, and their use by teachers.

The volume starts with an introduction to the background and key issues in the topic area and is then organised into three sections:

* the first section focuses on the language and learning of students on tasks
* the second on the use of tasks in the language classroom
* the third on the use of tasks for language testing

Each section begins with a succinct section introduction, and the volume concludes with an afterword relating the theme of the volume to issues in curriculum development. The chapters include both experimental and qualitative approaches to the topic, some providing original accounts of specific studies, others offering overviews of linked series of studies. The book will be of interest to graduate students in Applied Linguistics, teacher educators, testers, materials writers, senior teachers, and researchers.


Martin Bygate is a Senior Lecturer in TESOL at the School of Education, University of Leeds. He has written extensively in the past, including the volumes Speaking (1987) and Grammar and the Language Classroom (1994). Peter Skehan is Professor of Applied Linguistics in the School of Education, King's College, London. His previous publications are in the areas of individual differences in second language learning, second language acquisition, and language testing. Merrill Swain is a Professor in the Second Language Education Program of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto. She is a Past President of the American Association for Applied
Linguistics, and is currently a Vice-President of the International Association of Applied Linguistics.