Applied Linguistics is the study of language use in human affairs. Linguistics is the study of human language in its various forms and uses. It addresses both language in general and the properties of individual languages. Linguistics explores the connection between language, culture and knowledge; between discourse, belief and behaviour. It examines the role of language in human communication; the way people use language to interact with one another and their environment; language acquisition; preservation and loss. At the University of Adelaide our research and teaching are informed by the social nature of language and by systemic functional linguistics.

 Applied linguists study many areas of language use, including:

• learning and teaching languages
• communication practices in workplaces and in the media
• language and technology literacy practices
• language-related learning and communication difficulties.

The study of linguistics will develop professional expertise in fields such as:

• language, communication and technologies (CALL)
• language in education (ESL, TESOL, Literacies)
• language planning and language maintenance
• languages teaching (first, second and foreign languages)
• workplace communication

See the Postgraduate Handbook on the Linguistics website for details.

The Discipline of Applied Linguistics, a scholarly research community, is internationally recognised for research in the areas of:

• ecolinguistics
• language planning
• language testing
• multiliteracies and e-learning environments
• social practices and language learning
• workplace communication.

Postgraduate Applied Linguistics programs are recognised qualifications for language teaching, including teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and teaching languages other than English (LOTE). They are also internationally recognised for professional work in the fields of media, journalism, advertising, translating and interpreting, language documentation and policy management and workplace communication.

• A knowledge of the cultural nature of language and the role of language in human communication
• A specialised understanding of selected topics in Applied Linguistics related to communication in society and language education
• The ability to identify characteristic language features of social practices
• The skills to analyse in a principled way different texts and the rhetorical effects of linguistic choices
• The skills to plan and conduct applied linguistic research into language practices, applying appropriate research procedures
• An understanding of ethical issues in professional contexts and in the wider community
• An awareness of linguistic diversity and cross-cultural communication
• An understanding of language policy, language planning and related social justice issues.