John M. Norris is Principal Research Scientist in English language learning and assessment at the Educational Testing Service, USA.John McE. Davis is Evaluation Specialist (Contractor, Yorktown Systems Group) at the Foreign Service Institute, U.S. Department of State.Veronika Timpe-Laughlin is Associate Research Scientist in English language learning and assessment at the Educational Testing Service, USA.

• Chapter 1. Introduction: Foundations for Designing Second Language Educational Experiences. Part 1. Second Language Acquisition and the Language Learner. Chapter 2. Second Language Learning Theories. Chapter 3. Learner Individual Differences—Static. Chapter 4. Learner Individual Differences—Dynamic. Part 2. Second Language Instruction, Assessment, and Educational Design. Chapter 5. Language Pedagogical Approaches. Chapter 6. Teaching Language Skills. Chapter 7. Assessment in Support of Language Learning and Teaching. Chapter 8. Approaches to Curriculum and Materials Development for Language Education. Chapter 9. Instructional Sequencing and Language Learning Progressions. Part 3. Second Language Educational Innovation and Support. Chapter 10. Localizing Language Education. Chapter 11. Supporting Teachers in Utilizing Language Learning Materials. Chapter 12. Monitoring and Improving Language Instruction. Chapter 13. Implications for Technology-Mediated Language Learning and Instruction.

"This volume provides a clear, well-structured and up-to-date review of the major areas of research that shape language teaching, showing throughout their relevance for language education. The book will be required reading for researchers, administrators, designers of curricula, materials, tests and evaluations, and teachers and students alike. Well informed and lucid, consistently providing a balanced account, the authors should be congratulated on successfully relating theory to practice from beginning to end."Martin Bygate, Lancaster University, UK