The 21st century is full of challenges and opportunities. In such an ever-changing world, using a language for interpersonal or human-environment communication successfully is an essential skill. Therefore, it is vital to examine how to use technology to help learners acquire a foreign language successfully. This article explains the core elements of technology-enhanced language learning research, and the key points of research design. The core elements include learner variables, second language acquisition/learning theories and strategies, target language skills, and learning environments. When planning a study, it is necessary to begin by confirming learners' baseline level of the target language and related personal variables. Secondly, it is necessary to delineate the learning objectives and match them with the characteristics of technology tools to assist in selecting the most appropriate tools and in designing learning activities. Next, it is essential to understand the learning process and collect relevant data to examine the appropriateness of the planned learning activities and procedures. Finally, reflection and refinement are also required.