Focus on Form

This chapter examines research that has looked at form-focused instruction (FFI) generally, and at focus on form (FonF) more specifically. An initial challenge in this endeavor is to arrive at definitions of FFI and FonF and to establish the boundaries of these constructs, as the terms have been used in multiple, overlapping, and sometimes contradictory ways (Ellis, 2008; Doughty & Williams, 1998a; Williams, 2005). Subsequently, it is important to consider the theoretical and pedagogic implications of FonF and to explore the controversies surrounding it.