Applied Linguistics Course

Lesson 1 • Core Theoretical Frameworks

Introduces structuralism, functionalism, and cognitive approaches as foundational lenses. Students learn to identify which framework underlies a given study.

Lesson 2 • Language as a Social Practice

Frames language use as embedded in social contexts and power relations. Connects abstract theory to observable communicative behavior.

Lesson 3 • Research Orientations in Applied Linguistics

Distinguishes qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches used in the field. Prepares students to evaluate and design research studies.

Lesson 4 • Historical Development of the Field

Traces the field's evolution from language teaching origins to its current breadth. Provides historical context for understanding contemporary debates.

Lesson 1 • Interlanguage and Learner Language

Analyzes the systematic nature of learner language as an evolving linguistic system. Connects interlanguage theory to error analysis and feedback practices.

Lesson 2 • Second Language Acquisition Theories

Presents major SLA theories including input, interaction, and output hypotheses. Students evaluate each theory's explanatory power for classroom contexts.

Lesson 3 • Individual Differences in Language Learning

Examines how aptitude, motivation, and learning styles affect acquisition outcomes. Guides practitioners in differentiating instruction for diverse learners.

Lesson 4 • Applying Acquisition Research to Instruction

Bridges SLA theory and pedagogical decision-making in real teaching environments. Students design instructional sequences grounded in acquisition evidence.

Lesson 1 • Pronunciation Teaching Approaches

Evaluates segmental and suprasegmental teaching methods for diverse learner populations. Students design pronunciation activities grounded in phonological evidence.

Lesson 2 • Articulatory Phonetics Fundamentals

Describes how speech sounds are produced using the vocal tract. Provides the anatomical and acoustic vocabulary needed for phonological analysis.

Lesson 3 • Phonological Systems and Contrasts

Analyzes phonemes, allophones, and minimal pairs as units of linguistic contrast. Students map phonological inventories of target languages.

Lesson 4 • Phonological Variation and Accents

Explores regional, social, and L2-influenced variation in pronunciation. Challenges deficit views of non-standard accents in professional contexts.

Lesson 1 • Morphological Analysis and Word Formation

Covers inflectional and derivational morphology as tools for vocabulary and grammar analysis. Connects morphological knowledge to reading and writing instruction.

Lesson 2 • Grammar in Discourse and Context

Examines how grammatical choices vary across registers, genres, and interaction types. Students analyze authentic texts to identify context-driven grammar patterns.

Lesson 3 • Teaching Grammar Communicatively

Evaluates inductive, deductive, and task-based approaches to grammar instruction. Students design grammar lessons that balance accuracy and fluency goals.

Lesson 4 • Syntactic Structures and Phrase Types

Introduces phrase structure rules, constituency, and tree diagrams for sentence analysis. Builds the analytical toolkit for identifying grammatical patterns in texts.

Lesson 1 • Pragmatics in Intercultural Communication

Examines how pragmatic norms vary across cultures and cause communicative breakdowns. Students develop strategies for teaching pragmatic competence.

Lesson 2 • Foundations of Discourse Analysis

Defines discourse, text, and context as analytical units above the sentence. Establishes the conceptual base for all subsequent discourse-level work.

Lesson 3 • Critical Discourse Analysis

Uses CDA frameworks to reveal how language constructs ideology and reproduces power. Students analyze media, institutional, and political texts critically.

Lesson 4 • Speech Acts and Pragmatic Meaning

Applies speech act theory and Gricean maxims to explain how meaning exceeds literal content. Connects pragmatic theory to cross-cultural miscommunication.

Lesson 1 • Dialects, Registers, and Style

Distinguishes dialects, sociolects, and registers as dimensions of language variation. Students analyze style-shifting in authentic spoken and written data.

Lesson 2 • Sociolinguistics in Educational Contexts

Applies sociolinguistic insights to classroom language diversity and equity issues. Students design inclusive practices that value learner linguistic repertoires.

Lesson 3 • Multilingualism and Code-Switching

Examines bilingual and multilingual repertoires and the functions of code-switching. Connects multilingual practices to identity, power, and pedagogy.

Lesson 4 • Language Change and Spread

Traces mechanisms of language change, contact-induced change, and language spread. Students analyze historical and contemporary cases of language shift.

Lesson 1 • Ethics and Fairness in Assessment

Examines bias, differential item functioning, and equity in language testing. Students apply fairness principles to audit and revise assessment instruments.

Lesson 2 • Principles of Language Assessment

Introduces validity, reliability, practicality, and authenticity as core assessment criteria. Establishes the evaluative framework used throughout the chapter.

Lesson 3 • Assessing the Four Language Skills

Covers task design and scoring for listening, speaking, reading, and writing assessment. Students evaluate existing test tasks against assessment quality criteria.

Lesson 4 • Standardized Testing and Proficiency Scales

Analyzes widely used proficiency frameworks and standardized test formats critically. Students evaluate alignment between proficiency descriptors and test tasks.

Lesson 1 • Needs Analysis and Learner Profiling

Applies systematic needs analysis methods to identify target language use situations. Connects learner profiles to curriculum scope and sequence decisions.

Lesson 2 • Program Implementation and Teacher Support

Addresses the organizational and professional development dimensions of program rollout. Students plan teacher orientation and ongoing support structures.

Lesson 3 • Program Evaluation and Continuous Improvement

Applies formative and summative evaluation models to assess program effectiveness. Students design an evaluation plan with data collection and reporting components.

Lesson 4 • Materials Development and Adaptation

Guides principled selection, adaptation, and creation of instructional materials. Students evaluate commercial materials against program objectives and learner needs.