As educators, we need to take into account the implications that social and technological change may have for the practice of language teaching, and to see our work in the context of such change so that , as educators we may be able to contribute to the creation of the social world which we hope for. Many commentators take a pessimistic view of the future, but it is clear that social and technological developments can offer both constraints and numerous opportunities. I will emphasise a shift from syllabus towards methodology, ideas from critical pedagogy, the need to structure the development of student decision-making, and a preparation for change. I will also give many practical examples of what this can entail in classroom work.