Introduction

This chapter introduces the central theme of the book, the development of second language (L2) pragmatics in early language education, within the context of English as a foreign language (EFL) learning in China. It outlines the importance of pragmatic competence in young L2 learners (YLLs) and reviews relevant research, highlighting the limited attention to children and early stages of development. The chapter then presents the focus, scope and contributions of the study, emphasising its longitudinal design and its integrated examination of pragmatic production and perception. It also discusses the book’s distinctive features, including its focus on young learners, its methodological approach and its attention to ethical considerations. It further identifies the intended readership and the book’s relevance for researchers, educators and practitioners. The chapter concludes with an overview of the book’s organisation, providing readers with a roadmap for the chapters that follow.