In introducing the studies in this collective volume on research in teaching and learning English for Specific Purposes (ESP), we begin by considering the current context of language education in European universities, then examine key terms and concepts in our own vision of ESP didactics, before previewing the chapters selected for inclusion in the present volume. The book is divided into three sections, beginning with groundwork related to needs analysis and course design in disciplines as diverse as dentistry, musicology, and technical science, continuing with a closer look at particular ESP challenges related to lexico-grammar or genre, and in the final chapters moving on to innovative practice such as exploiting specialised corpora or television drama in the ESP classroom. [For the complete book, "New Developments in ESP Teaching and Learning Research," see ED578581.]