The globalized use of language calls into question conventional ways of thinking in linguistics,applied linguistics and language pedagogy. This book critically examines this thinking from an historical, at times satirical, perspective and proposes an alternative conceptualization. The first section defines a number of key concepts about communication which are taken up in subsequent sections and shown to be relevant to the different but related areas of language study. Issues about the relationship between linguistics and applied linguistics set the scene for a discussion of the nature of discourse, and then how this bears on the understanding of the globalised use of English as a lingua franca.The final section considers the implications of this perspective on communication for how the subject of English language teaching might be redefined. The book is relevant for anyone who sees the need for a critical consideration of established concepts in linguistics and language pedagogy.

This volume focuses on how far the policies, principles and practices of foreign language teaching and learning are, or can be, informed by theoretical considerations and empirical findings from the linguistic disciplines. Part I deals with the nature of foreign language learning in general, while Part II explores issues arising from linguistic, socio-political, cultural and cognitive perspectives. Part III and IV then consider the different factors that have to be taken into account in designing the foreign language subject and the various approaches to pedagogy that have been proposed. Part V finally addresses questions concerning assessment of learner proficiency and the evaluation of courses designed to promote it. Key features: provides a state-of-the-art description of different areas in the context of foreign language communication and learning presents a critical appraisal of the relevance of the field offers solutionsto everyday language-related problems with contributions from renowned experts

The globalized use of language calls into question conventional ways of thinking in linguistics,applied linguistics and language pedagogy. This book critically examines this thinking from an historical, at times satirical, perspective and proposes an alternative conceptualization. The first section defines a number of key concepts about communication which are taken up in subsequent sections and shown to be relevant to the different but related areas of language study. Issues about the relationship between linguistics and applied linguistics set the scene for a discussion of the nature of discourse, and then how this bears on the understanding of the globalised use of English as a lingua franca.The final section considers the implications of this perspective on communication for how the subject of English language teaching might be redefined. The book is relevant for anyone who sees the need for a critical consideration of established concepts in linguistics and language pedagogy.