The document provides an overview of the School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences at Trinity College Dublin, focusing on Applied Linguistics and its relevance in real-world decision-making. It outlines various themes and strands within Applied Linguistics, including language acquisition, teaching, professional communication, sociolinguistics, and methodologies. Additionally, it discusses the historical context, theoretical developments, and current challenges in the field, such as multilingualism and the role of English as a global language.