Introduction

The introductory chapter of this volume centres around three core areas. Starting by presenting an overview of applications of corpus linguistics in educational research, the chapter goes on to provide the background context for the study through an initial review of the extant research in the field and it traces changes within both Irish society more broadly and the Irish educational system over the last two decades. Thereafter, the overall aims of the study are introduced and the pivotal concepts of teacher professional learning and reflective practice which underpin and drive this monograph are briefly outlined. Finally, the chapter introduces the overall structure of the book.