Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on a specific national context, namely, the Japanese EFL context where the problem of language education reform has been an important national issue linked to economic performance. It investigates the use of project-based language learning (PBLL) using extended tasks as an alternative to high-stakes testing. The book investigates learner collaboration in digitally mediated environments, exploring from a qualitative perspective and within an interpretive paradigm, learner perceptions of the strategies they use to complete the project tasks. It explores Ortega's contention that there are synergies (or what she calls "elective affinities") between task-based approaches and digital technologies. The book presents a literature review on CALL in Japan, exploring the distinctive pedagogical and cultural context of English language education policy in the country and previous research on task-based approaches.