Introduction

Dubious dichotomies and deceptive symmetries

The importance of context in language education

A discourse perspective

Notes

1 Educational challenges

Of challenges and conditions

Challenge as action

Challenge as paradox

Challenge as dialogue

Double-voiced discourse

Dialogic breakthrough

Notes

2 Contexts of speech and social interaction

What's in a context?

Discourse and culture

Contextual shaping

Conclusion

Notes

3 Teaching the spoken language

Five case studies

Problems and paradoxes

Teaching language as(con)text

Note

4 Stories and discourses

Dimensions of particularity

Understanding particularity

Conclusion

Note

5 Teaching the literary text

Current practices

Defining the reader

Teaching the narrative

Teaching poetry

Post-teaching activities

Conclusion

Notes

6 Authentic texts and contexts

What is cultural authenticity?

The communicative proficiency approach

The discourse analysis approach

The challenge of multimedia

Notes

7 Teaching language along the cultural faultline

Cultural reality and cultural imagination

C2,C2'：reconstructing the C2 context of production and reception

C1,C1'：constructing a context of reception in the learner's native culture

C1",C2"：in the eyes of others

Of bridges and boundaries

Notes

8 Looking for third places

A popular culture

A critical culture

An ecological culture

Conclusion

Notes

Appendices

Bibliography

Index