Becoming and Being an Applied Linguist contains narrative accounts of the lives of thirteen well-established applied linguists. Their professional autobiographies document the development of some of the key areas of applied linguistics – second, language acquisition, motivation, grammar, vocabulary, testing, second language writing, second language classroom research, practitioner research, English as a lingua franca, teacher cognition, and computer-assisted language learning. The book tells how these applied linguists grew into their areas of specialization. It will be of interest to any would-be applied linguist. The book also provides a readable overview of the whole field that will be of value to students of applied linguistics.

Success in academia requires more than an understanding of discipline-specific literature and an ability to teach and do research. It is also necessary to develop an understanding of a range of professionally-oriented skills such as how to identify and apply to doctoral programs, how to make the most of conferences, how to achieve a semblance of work-life balance, and how to land a job. Unfortunately, however, training on such professional matters is often inconsistent and/or idiosyncratic. This book seeks to consolidate and demystify these critical and often-misunderstood aspects of professional development in the context of applied linguistics. Put another way, this book is an attempt at the text many of us wish we had as we began our graduate studies. Throughout the book, readers will find anecdotes and insights informed by individual authors’ first-hand experiences. The resulting tone across the volume is that of a meet-up with a trusted and thoughtful mentor. As readers “meet” with these mentors, it is the hope of this volume that their guidance will help move readers closer to realizing their professional goals in applied linguistics.

Doing Applied Linguistics provides a concise, lively and accessible introduction to the field of applied linguistics for readers who have little or no prior knowledge of the subject. The book explores the basics of the field then goes on to examine in more depth what applied linguists actually do, and the types of research methods that are most frequently used in the field. By reading this book students will find the answers to four sets of basic questions: What is applied linguistics, and what do applied linguists do? Why do it? What is the point of applied linguistics? How and why might I get involved in applied linguistics? How to do it? What kinds of activities are involved in doing applied linguistic research? Written by teachers and researchers in applied linguistics Doing Applied Linguistics is essential reading for all students with interests in this area.

This unique collection of essays, edited by and for students of linguistics, offers insights into the personal and professional journeys of some of the key thinkers in language studies. With contributions by fifteen established scholars, the volume provides first-hand insights into the ‘becoming’ of a linguist, and the many joys and challenges which come with it. The contributors pair honest and practical academic advice with personal experiences to assist novice and aspiring linguists to find their footing in the rapidly changing landscape of language studies, and guide them through linguistics past, present, and future. Autobiographical and reflexive, each chapter also includes recommendations for key readings and resources used or produced by the contributors. As a volume focused on the people behind the ideas, Becoming a Linguist will be of interest to students and scholars of language and linguistics, the history of linguistic thought, as well as the interested general reader.

This book provides a wide-ranging treatment of the major issues in applied linguistics.

The papers in this volume demonstrate the strides applied linguists have taken, in 'pure' or 'impure' form, since the classic volume of Corder's Introducing Applied Linguistics speculated about the discipline's possible frontiers. With a judicious combination of empirical, theoretical and policy-oriented studies, the volume takes a close, hard look at the present and future challenges.

It is a fact that the world’s languages are dying at an alarming rate. This comprehensive volume aspires to raise awareness among applied linguists and language practitioners about the needs and concerns of endangered language communities. It suggests that the way forward lies in building language revitalization teams reflecting the levels of expertise that the fields of formal linguistics and applied linguistics have to offer – in how well researchers and practitioners exploit a tremendous networking potential across disciplines to address the needs of revitalization, stabilization, or maintenance in these communities. A wide range of expert contributors addresses the following themes: (1) how varied language teaching contexts dictate what applied linguists bring to the table; (2) how training in applied linguists can empower members of the speaking community; (3) why we should critically examine the issues and terminology used to describe endangered language contexts; and (4) how linguistic skills can be adapted and integrated, conceptually and pedagogically, into non-traditional teaching contexts. The strength of this collection lies in bringing together expert applied and field linguists whose work represents extensive field experiences, theoretical expertise, and passionate resolve to act. This book was originally published as a special issue of Language and Education.