Applied Linguistics

Definition

What‘s applied Linguistics

• It is an inter an trans disciplinary approach

• identifies, investigates, and offers solutions to language-related real life problems.

• For Applied Linguistics, the central question is: - How far can existing models of description in

linguistics be used to resolve the practical problems of language use we are concerned with?

Discussion

John 3,16

Foreign Language education

Foreign/second

language methodology

Applied Linguistics

Linguistics v/s Applied Linguistics

Linguistics is the scientific study of language. It endeavours to answer the question--what is language and how is represented in the mind?

• Oriented to the solution of linguistic problems.

• It puts linguistic theories into practice in areas such as foreign language teaching, speech therapy, translation, and speech pathology

John 3,16

Defining the Scope of AL

“AL is the utilization of the knowledge about the nature of language achieved by linguistic research for the improvement of the efficiency of some practical task in which language is a central component.” (Corder, 1974, p. 24) (Ibid.)

Defining the Scope of AL

• “Whenever knowledge about language is used to solve a basic language-related problem, one may say that applied linguistics is being practiced.

• AL is a technology which makes abstract ideas and research findings accessible and relevant to the real world; it mediates between theory and practice.”

• (Strevens, 1992, p. 76)(Ibid.)

Defining the Scope of AL

• Therefore, applied linguistics involves• a- what we know about language• b- how it is learned• c- how it is used• • The primary concern of applied linguistics

has been second language acquisition theory, second language pedagogy and the interrelationship of both areas.

Five generations of Applied Linguistics

John 3,16

• What is our vision, what are the perspectives that support our work?

• What underlying views and assumptions colour and determine our actions?

• How is the world organized, and how do our own endeavours fit into that structure?

John 3,16

Five generations of ALx

John 3,16

Description Characterised by

1 Linguistic / behaviourist ‘scientific’ approach

2 Linguistic ‘extended paradigm model’

language is a social phenomenon

3 Multi-disciplinary model attention also to learning theory and pedagogy

4 Second language acquisition research

experimental research into how languages are learned

5 Constructivism knowledge of a new language is interactively

Universidad Tecnológica de PereiraFacultad de Bellas Artes y HumanidadesDepartamento de Humanidades e Idiomas