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Applied Linguistics

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Applied Linguistics

M.A. IN LINGUISTICS

APPLIED LINGUISTICS

Lecturer: Dr. Amir Mahdavi-Zafarghandi

Course Type: Elective
Level: M.A.
Credits: 2
Duration: 10 Major Topics
Languages of Instruction: English and Persian

1. Course Description

Applied Linguistics is an interdisciplinary field concerned with investigating and responding to problems in which language plays a significant role. It is not simply the application of linguistic knowledge to practical problems. Linguistic theories and findings may inform Applied Linguistics research and may have implications for practice, but they do not directly provide solutions to real-world language problems.

The course introduces students to major areas of contemporary Applied Linguistics through a problem-oriented and research-based perspective. It examines how language-related problems can be conceptualised, investigated, and understood in their social, cultural, educational, institutional, and professional contexts.

Because students enter the course from different academic backgrounds and may be working under demanding circumstances, the course prioritises conceptual understanding, critical reading, and manageable research activities rather than extensive reading or technically demanding assignments.

2. Central Question

How can language-related problems be conceptualised, investigated, and understood through Applied Linguistics?

A related question throughout the course is:

What distinguishes Applied Linguistics from the direct application of linguistic knowledge?

3. Major Topics

M.A. IN LINGUISTICS

APPLIED LINGUISTICS

Lecturer: Dr. Amir Mahdavi-Zafarghandi
Course Type: Elective | Level: M.A. | Credits: 2
Duration: 15 weeks / 10 major topics
Languages of Instruction: English and Persian

1. Course Description

Applied Linguistics is an interdisciplinary field concerned with investigating and responding to problems in which language plays a significant role. It is not simply the application of linguistic knowledge; linguistic theories and findings may inform research and have implications for practice, but they do not directly provide solutions to real-world language problems.

The course examines major areas of Applied Linguistics from a problem-oriented and research-based perspective, with emphasis on conceptual understanding, critical reading, and the investigation of language-related problems in social, cultural, educational, and professional contexts.

Central question:
How can language-related problems be conceptualised, investigated, and understood through Applied Linguistics?

2. Major Topics

Topic	Focus	Key Question
1. Nature and Scope of Applied Linguistics	History, interdisciplinarity, application vs. implication, problem-oriented inquiry	What makes Applied Linguistics a distinct field?
2. Language Learning, SLA & Multilingualism	SLA, bilingualism, multilingualism, plurilingualism, translanguaging	How can language learning and multilingual practices be understood?
3. Pragmatics & Discourse	Context, meaning, speech acts, interaction, discourse	How does context shape language use and meaning?
4. Language, Society, Identity & Power	Identity, ideology, discrimination, migration, critical Applied Linguistics	How are language practices connected to social relations?
5. Language Policy & Planning	Language education, language rights, multilingualism, policy and practice	How does policy relate to actual language practices?
6. Translation, Interpreting & Mediation	Translation, interpreting, culture, institutions, technology	What problems arise when meaning is mediated across languages?
7. Language Assessment	Constructs, validity, reliability, assessment, fairness	What can language tests legitimately tell us about language ability?
8. Corpus Linguistics & Digital Language	Corpora, frequency, discourse, digital communication and literacies	How have digital data changed language research?
9. Artificial Intelligence & Applied Linguistics	Generative AI, language learning, translation, assessment, bias and ethics	What language-related problems does AI create or transform?
10. Researching Language-Related Problems	Research questions, qualitative/quantitative methods, mixed methods, ethics	How can language-related problems be systematically investigated?

3. Main Textbook

Davies, A., & Elder, C. (Eds.). (2004). The Handbook of Applied Linguistics. Blackwell.

Selected chapters from this handbook will constitute the main reading for Topics 1–8 and 10. Students will not be expected to read the entire handbook.

For Topic 9, recent research on Artificial Intelligence and language will supplement the handbook.

4. Key Supplementary References

Farr, F., & Murray, L. (Eds.). (2026). The Routledge Handbook of Language Learning and Technology (2nd ed.).
Fulcher, G., & Harding, L. (Eds.). (2022). The Routledge Handbook of Language Testing (2nd ed.).
Mackey, A., & Gass, S. M. (2022). Second Language Research: Methodology and Design (3rd ed.).
McEnery, T., & Hardie, A. (2012). Corpus Linguistics: Method, Theory and Practice.
Munday, J. (2016). Introducing Translation Studies (4th ed.).
Nassaji, H. (2025). Applied Linguistics Research: A Comprehensive Guide to Methodology, Design, Analysis, and Evaluation.
Ortega, L. (2014). Understanding Second Language Acquisition.
Pennycook, A. (2021). Critical Applied Linguistics: A Critical Introduction (2nd ed.).
Spolsky, B. (2004). Language Policy.

5. Teaching and Learning Approach

The course emphasises depth over volume. Each topic will normally involve:

one selected chapter from the main textbook;
guided discussion and short lectures;
authentic examples or language data;
selected recent research;
occasional short student presentations or research activities.

The emphasis is on understanding and analysing language-related problems rather than memorising theories.

6. Assessment

Component	Weight
Participation and preparation	10%
Critical reading responses	10%
Seminar presentation	10%
Final paper	30%
Final examination	40%
Total	100%

7. Semester Organisation

Weeks 1–2: Topics 1–2
Weeks 3–4: Topics 2–3
Weeks 5–6: Topics 4–5
Weeks 7–8: Topics 6–7
Weeks 9–10: Topic 8
Week 11: Topic 9
Weeks 12–13: Topic 10
Week 14: Student presentations / research workshop
Week 15: Course synthesis and final discussion