this book explores the role of context and culture in language teaching, emphasizing the importance of understanding language within its social and cultural frameworks. it challenges traditional dichotomies in language education and highlights the need for a discourse perspective that considers the complexities of language use. the book discusses various educational challenges, including the paradoxes and dialogic nature of teaching, and how these can be addressed through double-voiced discourse and dialogic breakthroughs. it then examines the contexts of speech and social interaction, emphasizing how discourse is shaped by culture and context. the book moves on to discuss teaching the spoken language, highlighting the importance of case studies and the challenges of teaching language as (con)text. it also explores stories and discourses, focusing on the dimensions of particularity and how understanding particularity can enhance language teaching. the book then turns to teaching literary texts, discussing current practices, the role of the reader, and post-teaching activities. it addresses authentic texts and contexts, exploring cultural authenticity and the challenges of multimedia. the final chapters focus on teaching language along cultural faultlines, examining cultural reality and imagination, and the concept of third places in language teaching. the book concludes with appendices, a bibliography, and an index, providing a comprehensive resource for language educators.this book explores the role of context and culture in language teaching, emphasizing the importance of understanding language within its social and cultural frameworks. it challenges traditional dichotomies in language education and highlights the need for a discourse perspective that considers the complexities of language use. the book discusses various educational challenges, including the paradoxes and dialogic nature of teaching, and how these can be addressed through double-voiced discourse and dialogic breakthroughs. it then examines the contexts of speech and social interaction, emphasizing how discourse is shaped by culture and context. the book moves on to discuss teaching the spoken language, highlighting the importance of case studies and the challenges of teaching language as (con)text. it also explores stories and discourses, focusing on the dimensions of particularity and how understanding particularity can enhance language teaching. the book then turns to teaching literary texts, discussing current practices, the role of the reader, and post-teaching activities. it addresses authentic texts and contexts, exploring cultural authenticity and the challenges of multimedia. the final chapters focus on teaching language along cultural faultlines, examining cultural reality and imagination, and the concept of third places in language teaching. the book concludes with appendices, a bibliography, and an index, providing a comprehensive resource for language educators.