The connection between SLA research and second and foreign language (S/FL) teachingis discussed in this paper, from the viewpoint that such a relationship is desirable and that it isadvantageous to see it as one mediated by a variety of factors. At the same time, it is asserted thatthe relationship is presently often weaker than it should be. The conditions under whichS/FL language teaching take place are identified as strongly contributing to this state ofaffairs, though other aspects of SLA research that might have limited its relevance to teaching arealso considered. A call is made for empirical studies into the use by teachers of research.