Corpus Linguistics

A plethora of experimental research informed by task-based language teaching (TBLT) has investigated the effects of cognitive task complexity features and their interaction with learner variables on different dimensions (e.g., complexity, accuracy, and fluency) of second language (L2) learners' linguistic performance. This chapter examines the potential of using large-scale learner corpora and corpus analytical methods to usefully complement experimental TBLT research along this line. It starts by introducing a set of conceptual principles and methodological considerations that are crucial for bringing together corpus and TBLT research while highlighting the range of metadata that needs to be encoded to make corpora applicable to TBLT research. It then critically reviews the emerging body of research that has employed learner corpora and/or corpus analytical methods to uncover how task-related factors and their interaction with learner-related factors affect different dimensions of L2 linguistic performance. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the theoretical and methodological synergy between corpus linguistics research and experimental TBLT research and subsequently proposes future research directions.