Early in its work, TIRF board members focused on the fact that no existing organization or agency, private or public, is solely concerned with investigating issues in language learning and teaching. TIRF will provide this specialized attention, giving high priority to the development of a coherent program of research and dissemination of information on language learning and teaching. At the same time, the gap has widened between practice and the research needed to inform practice, both in language learning and teaching and in teacher training. Clearly, funding is the first order of business. TIRF already is actively seeking funding sources and has made initial contact with potential donors in several parts of the world, including several important authors and publishers, and major philanthropic and corporate foundations.
Plans are in place to contact major international companies and government agencies.
Funds will be used to support research projects selected from applications submitted in response to TIRF's periodic calls for proposals. TIRF is committed to the development of a research agenda that is flexible and dynamic, addressing perennial issues and evolving as critical questions present themselves. TIRF will receive, hold, invest, administer, and distribute funds for foundation purposes. Becoming involved in TIRF activities is easy.