1. Introducing Applied Linguistics
Tópicos de LA
Profa. Marília Mendes Ferreira
2016/1

4. Series Editor´s preface
“The view taken of applied linguistics in the (...)series is that of a theorising approach to practical experience in the language professions, notably, but not exclusively, those concerned with language learning and teaching. It is concerned with the problems, the processes, the mechanisms and the purpose of language in use. Like any other applied discipline, applied linguistics draws on theories from related disciplines with which it explores the professional experience of its practitioners and which in turn are themselves illuminated by that experience. This two-way relationship between theory and practice is what we mean by a theorising discipline. ”p.vii Theorising= two-way relationship between theory and practice

5. Chapter 1: definitions Difficult to define No consensus on it
Author explains the field
A) examples (concerns, activities)
Unclear Picture
lack of coherence
professional identity

6. Definitions of AL provided
Kaplan & Widdowson (1992:76)
“mediation between theory and practice”
Hudson (1999) apud Davies (2007:1)
“a synthesis of research from a variety of disciplines, including linguistics”
Rampton (1997)
Commitment to dialogue
Pennycook (2004: )
“CAL concerns with issues of identity, sexuality, access, ethics, disparity, difference, desire, reproduction of otherness “
Cook (2003:5)
“the academic discipline concerned with the relationship of knowledge about language to decision making in the real world”

7. Definitions of AL provided (cont.)
Brumfit (1997:93)
“theoretical and empirical investigation of real world problems in which language is a crucial issue”
Grabe (2001:25)
“tries to resolve language-based problems that people encounter in the real world”

8. Origins of AL New vocational need
US teaching languages during and after II world war
Feeling to go beyond language description
1948 a conference was organized in USA to discuss issues of language learning and teaching
A jornal was launched: Language learning
1956 : school of AL in University of Edingburgh, UK
1959: a center for AL in Washington, DC,USA
1964: National associations got together to form AILA (International Association of Applied Linguistics)
1967:BAAL
Australia: AL focuses on immigrants´languages

9. History of AL 1) Context of emergence 60´s and 70´s 2) As time went by
Need of language teachers after II world war
AL = language teaching
Journal Language Learning → language studies
2) As time went by
Linguistics became
a more known among language teachers
part of their training AL
spread
broadened its scope ↓

10. History of AL (cont.) 3) ETAL series of books
Corder – AL should have a narrow focus (Language teaching)
Spolsky – AL → Educational Linguistics
Others – AL beyond language teaching → a Science of everything
all problems involve language issues
way to see the evolution of the field
Conflict – study x change

11. History of AL (cont.) Professionalization of the field
Curricula (Europe, USA, Australia, Asia)
Linguistics
Research methods
Teaching

12. Applied Fields Tense relationship with theory
Seeking more relevance (academia and society)
Math, Physics, AL
Graduate studies – multidisciplinar
Doesn´t seek definite solutions, findings (human sciences)
Profile of sts
Background on (English) language teaching

13. Unmarked perspective
2) Applied linguistics encompass Linguistics (extreme view), draws on several disciplines, immediate concern Underlying argument: all knowledge should be of practical use Linguistics and AL emerge out of socio-political economical needs
Applied linguistics
linguistics

14. Conclusion - definition
“seeks out and works on language problems which linguistics responds to by idealising and then analysing in terms of current linguistic theory” p.12 1st edition – more concern with the distinction between linguistics, linguistics applied and AL 2nd edition – this distinction not needed ↓ Applied x pure/theoretical whY? Linguistics still important to AL whose focus is on problems solving rather than description

15. Another definition of applied linguistics
“the theoretical and empirical investigation of real-world problems in which language is a central issue.” (p.9) Brazil nowadays (in pairs discuss it) National curriculum base Refugees and their communication needs Literacy –citenzenship in Brazilian society What else?

16. From 1st edition Origin: European philological tradition (Jakobson)
Linguistics applied
Applied Linguistics
Origin:
European philological tradition (Jakobson)
Language teaching is part of linguists´problem
USA: linguistic description for cultural analysis (anthropology)
Application of linguistic theories
BAAL (1965)
Had first hand experience on social problems linguistis were addressing
AL- way to look and conceptualize the problems (p.14)

17. Language as part of cultural artifact (USA)X GB
Language for communication
Context of situation – comes from linguistics to solve problems
Linguistics applied

18. Discussion questions What then is the difference between L and AL?
What is the issue behind this distinction?
What do you understand AL is based on the chapter?
Do you see any relevance of AL to your concerns on language teaching and/ or your training in Letras?

19. Homework
1) Chapter 2
Read and summarize (due on 20/03) substitute class March 27th
2) In pairs choose a problem suitable to AL - From Brazil
Should involve language use in society
Current (from the past 2 years at most)
The text should have
Statement of this problem, explanation of it, explanation why it is an AL issue, and how Al researchers are dealing with it (find 2 references and summarize them explaining how they are dealing, discussing, ameliorating, solving the problem). (Due on 03/04)
Class 20th (lab class)