In the best of times, when schools are functioning optimally, student engagement is central to quality education. At times of upheaval, when new modes of learning and teaching are being improvised and trialled, it is imperative that we understand how to generate, sustain and measure student engagement. This book could not be more timely and will have enduring value. * Martin Lamb, University of Leeds, UK * For anyone who has ever taught unengaged second language (L2) learners, this volume explores the cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and social aspects of engagement. The authors always have an eye to the classroom, never forgetting a teacher's goal of increasing L2 learner engagement. Whether youre new to the topic or an established researcher, this volume provides something for you. * Shawn Loewen, Michigan State University, USA * This volume provides a clear rationale for why understanding student engagement in the language classroom is important. It unpacks the complexities of what is meant by student engagement, and brings together a rich array of conceptual, empirical and pedagogical perspectives that researchers and teachers will find thought-provoking and illuminating. * Ema Ushioda, University of Warwick, UK * This edited volume renders itself an important and timely contribution as it fruitfully demystifies engagement, the complex construct or meta-construct through comprehensively delving into the conceptualizations and operationalizations of engagement and exemplifying empirical research in the field of second language acquisition. -- Jian-E Peng and Yuanlan Jiang, Shantou University, China * Applied Linguistics 2021: 15 *