This book investigates the effects of corpus work on the process of foreign language learning in ESP settings. It suggests that observing learners at work with corpus data can stimulate discussion and re-thinking of the pedagogical implications of both the theoretical and empirical aspects of corpus linguistics. The ideas presented here are developed from the Data-Driven Learning approach introduced by Tim Johns in the early nineties. The experience of watching students perform corpus analysis provides the basis for the two main observations in the book: a) corpus work provides students with a useful source of information about ESP language features, b) the process of "search-and-discovery" implied in the method of corpus analysis may facilitate language learning and promote autonomy in learning language use. The discussion is carried out on the basis of a series of corpus-based "explorations" by students and provides suggestions for developing new tasks and tools for language learners.

Table of contents

1. Introduction 2. Corpus linguistics and language teaching and learning: a background 3. Theoretical premises for teachers and learners 4. Corpus work, ESP and language learners 5. Guiding the learners to work with corpora and corpus data 6. Learners exploring corpora to observe and produce texts: spies in action 7. Concluding remarks Appendices References Index