Task:
You are required to write a short research report (prefer) or essay on an applied linguistics project
• General linguistics is the scientific study of the structure and development of language(s)
• Applied linguistics is the branch of linguistics that focuses on the practical applications of language studies
You are required to write a short research report or essay on an applied linguistics project
• General linguistics is the scientific study of the structure and development of language(s)
Applied linguistics:
Applied linguistics is the branch of linguistics that focuses on the practical applications of language studies
• It involves the practical application of linguistics-related concepts by identifying, investigating, and offering solutions to language-related problems
• E.g.: what are the best methods to teach languages? Or what are the existing issues in language policy formulation?
• Applied linguistics covers a vast number of areas such as bilingualism, multilingualism, discourse analysis, language pedagogy, language acquisition, language planning and policy, and translation
• It is also related to various other fields such as education, communication, sociology, and anthropology
Applied Linguistics Subfields:
Clinical linguistics: the analysis and treatment of language disorders
Psycholinguistics: the study of the psychological factors that enable humans to acquire, use, comprehend and produce speech
Language acquisition: improving language testing in educational and psychological testing, diagnosing language performance issues, analysing language acquisition trajectories
Choice this topic, Education: developing foreign language teaching methods, determine better language assessment techniques.
Language interpretation: the facilitation of oral or sign language communication between users of different languages
Lexicography: the theory and practice of organising and creating dictionaries
Computational linguistics: the use of computers in language analysis and use
Forensic linguistics: the application of linguistic knowledge, methods and insights into the context of law and crime investigation
Language, culture, and pragmatics: the study of the cultural aspects in language teaching in intercultural communication (Chong Han and Kenny Wang, WSU)
1. Choose a subfield as a topic
Decide on a subfield that interests you. Read (books, handbooks, websites) and watch (YouTube, University promotion videos) some general information on the topic
Narrow your topic to something specific and check it with your teaching staff member
• E.g.: you could interview a professional (i.e. teacher, speech pathologist, translator/interpreter, journalist etc.) on how they use linguistics in their everyday work; or you could investigate a linguistic feature which may be challenging for a second language learner and offer a solution to aid said learner’s language development
2. Design your research
1.Create a/some research question(s) – question(s) you will answer through an investigation rather than just by reading. Should be based on existing theories
2.Some kinds of theories make it possible to form predictions (hypothesis) about what answers you may find. You thus may want to formulate a hypothesis to test
3.Decide if you will need any tools to conduct your research, such as software (Word, Excel) or analysis tools (talk to your teacher, some include Praat and ELAN)
4.Check the feasibility of your project before starting: can you achieve this project in the time/space you are given?
