An Intro to Applied Linguistics-PPT.pdf
- 1. Applied Linguistics An Introduction: MR.VATHVARY Course: Applied Linguistics for Language Teachers AGA INSTITUTE
- 2. LEARNING GOALS • Provide a broad and general outline of applied linguistics as an academic subject. • Discuss some of the questions that new and prospective students of Applied linguistics most frequently ask about the subject area. • Discuss the history of AL and its origin. • Examine the career opportunities under AL. MR. VATH VARY
- 3. Introduction • AL is often said to be concerned with solving or at least ameliorating social problems involving language: MR.VATHVARY 1. How can we teach languages better? 2. How can we diagnose speech pathologies better? 3. How can we improve the training of translators and interpreters? 4. How can we write a valid language examination? 5. How can we evaluate a school bilingual program? 6. How can we determine the literacy levels of a whole population? 7. How can we helpfully discuss the language of a text? 8. What advice can we offer a Ministry of Education on a proposal to introduce a new medium of instruction? 9. How can we compare the acquisition of a European and an Asian language? 10.What advice should we give a defense lawyer on the authenticity of a police transcript of an interview with a suspect?
- 4. MORE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS • What is applied linguistics? • What is the difference between linguistics and applied linguistics? • What is the difference between AL and second/foreign language teaching? MR. VATH VARY
- 5. • Applied linguistics does not lend itself to an easy definition, perhaps because, as Vivian cook remarks:‘applied linguistics means many things to many people’ (cook 2006). MR. VATH VARY • The term Applied Linguistics (AL) is an Anglo- American coinage. • It was founded first at the University of Edinburgh School of Applied Linguistics in 1956. • Then at the Center of Applied Linguistics in Washington D.C. in 1957.
- 6. Definitions of AL • “the theoretical and empirical investigation of real-world problems in which language is a central issue.” Brumfit (1997, p. 93): • is using what we know about (a) language, (b) how it is learned, and (c) how it is used, in order to achieve some purpose or solve some problem in the real world” “Traditionally, second language acquisition theory,second language pedagogy and the interface between the two are of primary concerns Schmitt and Celce-Murcia (2002, p. 1): • “the focus of applied linguistics is on trying to resolve language-based problems that people encounter in the real world, whether they be learners, teachers, supervisors, academics, lawyers, service providers, those who need social services, test takers, policy developers, dictionary makers, translators, or a whole range of business clients”. Grabe (2002, p. 9): MR.VATHVARY
- 7. Definitions of AL • an interdisciplinary field of research and practice dealing with practical problems of language and communication. International Association for Applied Linguistics (AILA) • (1) the study of second and foreign language learning and teaching. • (2) the study of language and linguistics in relation to practical problems Longman dictionary of language teaching and applied linguistics (2010): MR.VATHVARY
- 8. What Is ‘Applied’ About Applied Linguistics? MR. VATH VARY • Applied subjects in higher education can be divided into two contrasting types. Disciplinary Interdisciplinary
- 9. MR. VATH VARY 1st Applied subject type • focuses very clearly on the practical applications of a single branch of academic knowledge • Ex. Applied mathematics studies how mathematical theories, concepts and processes can be used to solve practical problems in fields as diverse as engineering, computer science and economics 2nd Applied subject type • has no ‘pure’ or ‘theoretical’ equivalents, and focus instead on a single (although often very broad) practical domain. Engineering and Education, for example, are not branches of any single academic discipline at all, but are entirely interdisciplinary in nature. • Ex. Education focuses on problems, questions and issues related to teaching and learning. • Education draws on research in disciplines as diverse as psychology, sociology, philosophy, economics and politics, but still maintains its own distinct identity as an academic subject area, and its own distinctive set of goals.
- 10. ‘What is the difference between linguistics and applied linguistics?’ • AL is not a branch of linguistics, or of any other academic discipline AL is an academic subject area with its own … • right, set of concerns, academic journals, professional associations, academic qualifications, and professional pathways. MR. VATH VARY But finally
- 11. Applied Linguists • See Linguistics as their nearest neighbor and most important source of intellectual inspiration • Also look to other fields for relevant insights into real- world language Problems – to biology,cultural studies, economics,education, philosophy,politics, psychology and sociology . • do not draw on linguistics at all, but base their work on theoretical concepts and frameworks derived from postmodernist critical theory as in ‘critical’ applied linguistics’ MR. VATH VARY What Is ‘Applied’ About Applied Linguistics?
- 12. MR. VATH VARY The scope of applied linguistics Language Teaching and Learning Content Areas Real-world problems in which language is a central issue
- 13. MR. VATH VARY LANGUAGE TEACHING AND LEARNING • AL is the academic study of second language learning and teaching, and it is perhaps for this reason that the question ‘what is the difference between applied linguistics and TEFL?’ 20th century focus • When AL first emerged in the second half of 20th century, its focus on the learning and teaching of foreign languages, and experienced language teachers wishing to do a master’s degree for reasons of professional development 20th century focus • curriculum, syllabus and materials design, language teaching methodology and classroom management. • Specific attention: teaching 4 ‘macro’ skills, together pronunciation, language testing, teacher education 20th century Taught program
- 14. Decisions about what to teach and how to teach it need to be grounded in a strong understanding of what language is and how learners learn it - Phonetics - phonology Morphology and syntax - Semantics and pragmatics Psycho-linguistics Socio-linguistics Discourse analysis MR. VATH VARY LANGUAGE TEACHING AND LEARNING
- 15. MR. VATH VARY Mainstream education: educational context By ‘mainstream’ we mean educational contexts, funded and influenced by the state, rather than the ELT context. Research areas: • Bilingualism and multilingualism and their relation to schooling and first language literacy education Mainstream education: Language and education in formal context At a micro level: • aim to diagnose and ameliorate communication problems arising in a wide range of professional and workplace contexts (and intercultural communication). At a macro level: involves in the analysis of national & international language planning and language policy issues. (language maintenance & loss as well as promoting the concept of linguistic human rights.)
- 16. Content areas MR. VATH VARY Issues of justice and equity also inform two other important developments in applied linguistics Forensic linguistics • Focuses on applications of linguistic knowledge to the legal process Critical discourse analysis • Aims to identify and critique ways in which linguistic choices and language practices are used to manipulate public opinion, to promote the interests of powerful groups in society, and to oppress, disadvantage and discriminate against others
- 17. MR. VATH VARY ‘real-world problems in which language is a central issue’ Translation studies Lexicography (the study and practice of dictionary compilation) Stylistics (the study of how linguistic style varies across literary texts and other text types) Computational linguistics, clinical linguistics and speech therapy The scope of applied linguistics
- 18. The scope of applied linguistics MR. VATH VARY AL … • the study of second and foreign language learning and teaching AL … • the study of language and linguistics in relation to practical problems. • Some people still understand AL in the narrow way, while others see it in the broader terms.
- 19. Applied Linguistic Approaches to Language Problems MR. VATH VARY Thus far, applied linguistics is defined as ‘the theoretical and empirical investigation of real-world problems in which language is a central issue’ (Brumfit, 1995:).The aim of this final section is to consider in fairly general terms how applied linguists go about investigating the problems, questions and issues that interest and concern them. • Let us imagine for a moment that you want to investigate whether standards of English grammar are slipping among school leavers and university graduates, as is currently being claimed in many sections of the Anglophone media throughout the world. • Is English really being ‘dumbed down’ by its users?
- 20. Applied Linguistic Approaches to Language Problems MR. VATH VARY ‘Investigating’ Involves investigating and offering solutions to already established problems • Conduct a literature review (from past paper); • Conduct empirical research by analyzing data from learners, teachers and/or other interested parties. • Conduct theoretical examination and critique the ideas and assumptions that underpin it. Problematising Involves creating problems – or more precisely, about identifying problems that have hitherto gone unnoticed. • ‘English as a Lingua Franca’ is given the unique status of English as the default language of international communication. • ELF refers to English as a share language of communication taking place between non-native speakers, whose language are different. Ex.Phonological and grammatical norms.
- 21. MR. VATH VARY USA Australia Britain Europe (France) History of AL in four different countries:
- 22. History of AL • was founded in 1977; • AAAL’s mission “is to facilitate the advancement and dissemination of knowledge and understanding regarding language-related issues in order to improve the lives of individuals and conditions in society.” The American Association of Applied Linguistics (AAAL) www.aaal.org MR.VATHVARY AL in North America does have identifiable roots in linguistics. While North American AL has evolved over time, in its orientation and scope, so has North American linguistics. A significant amount of work directed to real-world issues involving language can be attributed to leading North American linguists, although not characterized as AL. Much of what can now be seen as groundbreaking AL type activity was carried out prior to the formal appearance of AL or of linguistics as recognized fields of endeavor. Angelis considered the history of AL in four different countries:
- 23. History of AL •Was founded in 1967; • BAAL’s mission: • aims “the advancement of education by fostering and promoting, by any lawful charitable means, the study of language use, language acquisition and language teaching and the fostering of inter-disciplinary collaboration in this study” • It was largely taken for granted in the 1960s and 1970s that applied linguistics was about language teaching. The British Association of Applied Linguistics (BAAL) www.baal.org.uk MR.VATHVARY
- 24. History of AL • was founded in France in 1964, where it is better known as Association Internationale de Linguistique Appliquée, or AILA. • deals with range from aspects of the linguistic and communicative competence of the individual such as first or second language acquisition, literacy, language disorders, etc. to language and communication related problems in and between societies such as e.g. language variation and linguistic discrimination, multilingualism, language conflict, language policy and language planning The International Association of Applied Linguistics (www.aila.info) MR.VATHVARY
- 25. History of AL • Australian AL took as its target the AL of mother tongue teaching and teaching English to immigrants. • The Australia tradition shows a strong influence of continental Europe and of the US, rather than of Britain. • ALAA was established at a national congress of AL held in August 1976. The Applied Linguistics Association of Australia (ALAA) www.alaa.net.au MR.VATHVARY • “Applied Linguistics . . . has undergone a significant broadening of its scope and now contributes its theoretical perspectives to a range of areas” (Baynham, 2001, p. 26). • Mouton de Gruyter, devotes a 45-page brochure to its AL list. • language acquisition (L1 and L2), psycho/neurolinguistics, language teaching, sociolinguistics, humor studies, pragmatics, discourse analysis/rhetorics, text/processing/translation, computational linguistics – machine translation, corpus linguistics, language control/dialectology.
- 26. MR. VATH VARY What can I do with an applied linguistics qualification?
- 27. MR. VATH VARY • IAL is not a vocational subject like speech therapy or translation (or like dentistry or law, for that matter), • the ‘real-world’ orientation of AL means that is not a non- vocational,‘pure’ academic subject like history, sociology or astrophysics either. • If you want to pursue one of these careers then you need to take a vocational course of studies in one of these highly specialized areas instead. • Textbooks and reference sources often include subjects such as translation,clinical linguistics,speech therapy,deaf linguistics and lexicography under the general rubric of AL, • a degree in AL will not qualify you to work as a speech therapist, lexicographer or translator. It is useful to begin by stating clearly what a degree in applied linguistics CANNOT do for you.
- 28. MR. VATH VARY • A degree in AL is not officially recognised as a teaching qualification per se in most countries, • But it constitutes one of the most popular and prestigious avenues for professional development among practising language teachers, and particularly among those who want to work in universities. • The largest group of people enrolled in AL program (MA, PhD or BA) will be EFL teachers studying for a higher degree in order to secure better paid and more fulfilling jobs. • AL has an important relationship with the English language teaching profession.
- 29. LEADING APPLIED LINGUISTICS TEXTBOOKS
- 30. MR.VATHVARY