The research in this volume takes account of the context of policy promoting Chinese as a second language (CSL) in several countries and regions, (Australia, East Asia and South-East Asia), and the wider social context of multilingual and multicultural societies.

Furthermore, this book reports results of two research studies which investigated how to develop effective strategies to promote learners’ motivation and the motivational developments of adult learners in real-life settings, helping to overcome gaps in this under-researched area.

Findings reported in this book have been scientifically examined and found to be effective in enhancing the learners’ CSL proficiency, increasing their learning motivation, and addressing the need for a diversity of targeted approaches to CSL. Most are applicable across preschool to secondary levels. The theoretical grounding of this research work represents a new direction for research in teaching Chinese as a second language.