Applied linguistics is an interdisciplinary field that applies linguistic theories and knowledge about language to solve real-world language problems. It aims to answer how linguistic models can be used to address practical language issues. Applied linguistics involves utilizing what is known about language, how it is learned and used. Key areas include foreign language education, methodology, and second language acquisition theory and pedagogy. It is defined as using linguistic research findings to improve tasks involving language. The primary goal of applied linguistics is to make abstract linguistic ideas practical and relevant to solving basic language problems.

1. Applied Linguistics
Definition

2. 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?

3. Discussion
Foreign
Language
education
Foreign/
second
language
methodology
John 3,16
Applied
Linguistics

4. 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

5. John 3,16

6. 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.)

7. 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.)

8. 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.

9. Five generations of Applied
Linguistics
John 3,16

10. • 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

11. Five generations of ALx
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
John 3,16

12. Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira
Facultad de Bellas Artes y Humanidades
Departamento de Humanidades e Idiomas