Introducing Applied Linguistics Tpicos de LA Profa Marlia

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

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

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

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: 803 -804) “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”

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”

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 • •

History of AL 1) Context of emergence • 60´s and 70´s • 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 ↓

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

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

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

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

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 1 st edition – more concern with the distinction between linguistics, linguistics applied and AL 2 nd edition – this distinction not needed ↓ Applied x pure/theoretical wh. Y? Linguistics still important to AL whose focus is on problems solving rather than description

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?

From 1 st edition 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)

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

Discussion questions 1) 2) 3) 4) 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?

Homework 1) Chapter 2 • Read and summarize (due on 20/03) substitute class March 27 th 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 20 th (lab class)