An Introduction to Applied Linguistics

'An Introduction to Applied Linguistics' is one of the first books to provide a complete and authoritative overview of the current state of the field. Each of the 15 chapters offers and extended survey of a central element of Applied Linguistics and is co-authored by two leading international specialists, thus ensuring a full and balanced treatment of every topic covered. The book's wide coverage of applied linguistics is divided into three sections: a description of language and language use, essential areas of enquiry in applied linguistics, and the four skills and testing. An introductory chapter familiarises readers with the key issues in the field and alerts them to recurrent themes running throughout the volume. Following this initial orientation, chapters begin with a short summary describing the essence of their areas, then move to a substantial overview of that area's key concepts, issues, insights, and pedagogical implications. 'Hands-on' practical analysis is promoted through the provision of data sets for readers to investigate using the concepts and research methodologies described in each chapter. Authors suggested solutions are included at the end of the book. With its accessible style, broad coverage and practical focus, this new textbook is an ideal introduction to the field of applied linguistics and second language learning for both postgraduate and undergraduate students as well as practising teachers and researchers.

Table of Contents:
An overview of Applied Linguistics. Part I: Description of Language and Language Use. Grammar Vocabulary Discourse Analysis Pragmatics Corpus Linguistics Part II Essential Areas of Enquiry in Applied Linguistics. Second Language Acquisition Psycholinguistics Sociolinguistics Focus on the Language Learner Part III Language Skills and Assessment. Listening Speaking and Pronunciation Reading Writing Assessment.

Review :
First, it is one of the rarest applied linguistic textbooks to address corpus linguistics. Second, it is one of the few that addresses comprehensively all the themes needed in an introductory course of applied linguistics. Third, it takes a descriptive approach; which, in applied linguistics, is needed more than the prescriptive approach. Fourth, it addresses the four language skills and language assessment. Fifth, the organization of the book by sections, chapters, and parts of chapters makes the book so easy to read and understand. Finally, and more significantly, each chapter was written by two or three experts in their topic. This gives the book an authoritative value, and the reader, thus, gets the view of 31 experts all packed in one book. It is rare to have this large number of experts contribute in writing one textbook. Indeed, the publication of this book must have been an important dedication of these experts to provide a tool long needed in the field. TESL-EJ At present, there is no other book that could replace this book. Every teacher and student of applied linguistics should own a copy of this book. All language teachers should read this book in order to learn more of how language is learned and used daily, and to be more efficient in their teaching profession. TESL-EJ I recommend this book as a good start to basic applied linguistics. This book offers a wide array of linguistic topics pertinent to language use and language pedagogy. Jyh Wee Sew, NZSAL