Serious basic research leading to adequate descriptions of English and other languages of wider communication around the world in their sociolinguistic contexts is needed. This must be accompanied by applied research in second language acquisition and innovative research in teaching methodology and curriculum and materials development. With the present state of knowledge regarding what makes language learning possible, it is more useful to encourage different methodologies, both familiar and new, rather than reject any as outdated. Different methods and classroom practices use different areas and pathways of the brain and result in greater success in learning. From a non-western perspective, these are the challenges that applied linguistics and foreign language pedagogy face today. (Author/MSE)