This paper explores the field of post-compulsory English Language Teaching (ELT) management research, enquiring into its identity, legitimacy and development, by identifying and discussing issues, problems, and controversies. It reviews the nature of the ELT sector as a predominantly commercial educational service with a significant role in "inner circle" economies. An examination of the ELT management literature follows, which suggests that research in the sector is sparse, fragmentary, and lacking in scope. The application of Fisk, Brown, and Bitner's typology indicates that ELT management research appears to lack most of the features of a fully evolved research discipline and is, in effect, still "crawling out". Actions recommended to advance the field include clarification by researchers of its nature and parameters and the development of a research agenda, accompanied by a significant expansion of research activity. (Contains 1 figure and 3 tables.)