• University of Leicester

Introduction to Applied Linguistics and TESOL

Get an introduction to applied linguistics and how linguistics is applied in a range of fields - from language teaching to law.

53,098 enrolled on this course

Image shows two people speaking and listening

Introduction to Applied Linguistics and TESOL

53,098 enrolled on this course

  • 6 weeks

  • 3 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Explore the field of applied linguistics through real-world case studies

This online course introduces the field of applied linguistics and how it relates to disciplines including linguistics and language teaching.

You’ll explore real-world examples of applied linguistics, such as forensic linguistics and language assessment. You’ll look at the field’s impact on important issues - for example, reducing gender bias in language use and simplifying legal language.

You’ll find out what applied linguists do through a series of case studies. Specialists will work through problems and show you applied linguistic research methods to solve them.

Download video: standard or HD

Skip to 0 minutes and 8 seconds Applied linguistics is about language, its users and its uses. Without it, we can’t get what we want, whether it’s a baby crying to be fed, or international leaders trying to negotiate important international deals. At its most sophisticated, communication involves many layers of language such as grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, and discourse, as well as nonverbal features such as gaze, facial expressions, and gesture. Linguists are increasingly realising that learning a second or foreign language is a complex process, and not the same as learning a first language. And yet, in today’s globalised world, the majority of us speak a second language. And by far the most important second language is English.

Skip to 0 minutes and 50 seconds In this course, we’ll look at many aspects of applied linguistics and how it relates to our everyday lives, as well as specifically, how it relates to English language teaching and learning. We look at the role of language testing for instance, and its importance in some of the big decisions we make in our lives. We’ll also look at speech and pronunciation and their role not only in mutual intelligibility, but also in the image we present to each other and our sense of identity. Every year, a large number of students come and study with us here at the University of Leicester, either on campus or as distance learners.

Skip to 1 minute and 27 seconds Our aim is to help them understand more about language and how it works, how it’s learned, and how it’s taught, and how they can then apply it in their own professional context. So if you’re interested in finding out more about language and its application in our everyday lives, from the banal to the momentous, and if you’d like to know more about how to observe, and analyse, and assess language, we think you’ll find our MOOC interesting and stimulating.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Have you ever met an applied linguist?

    • Introduction

      This week we will consider the questions: What is linguistics and applied linguistics? What do applied linguists do? What impact does applied linguistics have in the real world, including in TESOL.

    • Have you ever met an applied linguist?

      The field of linguistics and applied linguistics are not well understood. In this section we will consider the roles of linguists and applied linguists and some misconceptions related to these roles.

    • What do applied linguists do?

      In this section we will look at some of the ways applied linguists identify, investigate and analyse real world language problems.

    • The impact of applied linguistics in broader society

      There are many areas of our daily lives where applied linguistics has been influential. Here we consider some examples.

    • The impact of applied linguistics on second language teaching, learning and assessment

      Applied linguistics has had a major impact in the field of TESOL, as we will see from these illustrations.

    • Summary of the week

      Here we summarise the main points covered this week and encourage you to reflect on what you've learned and what aspects you will put into practice.

  • Week 2

    Language and the big decisions in life

    • Introduction

      Testing and assessment is often used as a tool of social policy and control. In this introductory section you will see how closely testing is associated with the notion of meritocracy.

    • Making the big decisions in life

      In this activity we consider a number of occupations where allowing someone to practice without strong second language skills could put lives at risk.

    • International mobility

      Language tests are widely used by governments to control immigration. We will see that there is often a very grey area between policies that are presented as “protecting the public” and simply restricting international movement.

    • The kind of world we live in

      People hold very different views about tests. Which view do you hold?

    • Impact

      In this activity we look at some of the strong claims made for the usefulness of tests in teaching. There is the view that tests can help learners to see where they are now, and where they need to get to in order to succeed.

    • Assessment design and research

      We take a brief look at some of the qualities of a fair assessment. One of the skills students at Leicester learn is how to achieve reliable outcomes, which is fundamental to any concept of “fairness”.

    • Summary of the week

      Here we summarise the main points covered this week and encourage you to reflect on what you've learned and what aspects you will put into practice.

  • Week 3

    Inspiring Language Learning

    • Introduction

      This week we look at the key concepts of learner engagement, autonomy and anxiety and their influence on the learning process.

    • Engagement in language learning

      What might help or hinder language learning?

    • Learner autonomy and its significance in terms of enhancing language learning

      The notion of learner autonomy in foreign/second language learning and the sorts of classroom activities that have been suggested to enhance this learning attribute.

    • Foreign language anxiety

      It's hard to get inspired when you're scared! Language classrooms play host to various emotions, but for some students, learning and using a foreign language may cause them to feel anxious and this can affect their achievement.

    • Summary of the week

      Here we summarise the main points covered this week and encourage you to reflect on what you've learned and what aspects you will put into practice.

  • Week 4

    The social role of pronunciation

    • Introduction

      This week we will look at one area of linguistics, phonology, and consider how this helps us understand how important pronunciation is in our social lives as well as in language teaching and learning.

    • Accent

      In this section we'll look at accents: how we use them, lose them or change them.

    • Globalization and intelligibility

      With the increasing use of English as an international language, pronunciation plays a central role in maintaining intelligibility. We will illustrate this through two case studies where international intelligibility is key.

    • Pronunciation and public image

      Pronunciation has an important social role in interactions, helping us develop rapport with others. We have seen that we often make quick judgements of others based on our initial verbal and visual impressions.

    • Teaching and learning the social roles of pronunciation

      We have seen there is much more to pronunciation than simply understanding sounds, although that is obviously fundamental. What does that mean for language learning and teaching?

    • Summary of the week

      Here we summarise the main points covered this week and encourage you to reflect on what you've learned and what aspects you will put into practice.

  • Week 5

    Investigating and analysing language in use

    • Introduction

      This week we will consider two ways in which grammar may be investigated - through language use in specific contexts, and corpora.

    • Modal verbs

      What are modal verbs and how do they work?

    • Corpus methods in applied linguistics

      In this activity you will gain an idea of what a corpus is, and be introduced to some basic aspects of corpus exploration – distribution, concordance and collocation.

    • Hands-on exploration of obligation and necessity in COCA

      Exploring the use of 'must', and other expressions conveying obligation and necessity, in COCA.

    • Summary of the week

      Here we summarise the main points covered this week and encourage you to reflect on what you've learned and what aspects you will put into practice.

  • Week 6

    Joining the Applied linguistics and TESOL community at Leicester

    • Introduction

      In this last week of the course we invite you to take an inside look at the Applied Linguistics and TESOL research community at Leicester. We then consider some future directions and issues in the field.

    • Applied Linguistics and TESOL at Leicester - staff research

      In this section you can hear about the research interests of academic staff working in Applied Linguistics and TESOL at the University of Leicester.

    • Applied Linguistics and TESOL at Leicester - student research

      Now you can hear about the interesting work that some of our research students have been doing.

    • The Future of Applied Linguistics and TESOL – some current issues and developments

      Language, and how we use it, is always changing, and this is particularly true for English. Here we consider what this means for the field of applied linguistics and TESOL.

    • Summary of the course

      Here we summarise the main points covered in the course and encourage you to reflect on what you've learned and what aspects you will put into practice.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Demonstrate understanding of the key areas of applied linguistics and how these can be related to language teaching and learning
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals of applied linguistics, including language structure, language acquisition and language use in relation to culture, society, communication
  • Explore the role of language within the broader field of communication, particularly in language teaching and learning
  • Collect language data, organize it appropriately, and carry out initial linguistic analysis of that data
  • Reflect on and value diverse perspectives on language use and language users in society
  • Contribute knowledgeably to discussions on contemporary linguistic issues in a multilingual society

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for:

  • anyone interested in linguistics and language teaching, and thinking of a career in these fields
  • people considering a postgraduate degree in applied linguistics or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
  • professionals already working in applied linguistics or related fields, who want an update on current thinking and practice.

Who will you learn with?

I'm a Professor in Applied Linguistics and TESOL at the University of Leicester. I research and teach in several areas of applied linguistics and TESOL including online language learning.

Who developed the course?

University of Leicester

The University of Leicester is a leading research led university with a strong tradition of excellence in teaching. It is consistently ranked amongst the top 20 universities in the United Kingdom.

Ways to learn

Subscribe & save

Buy this course

Start learning today

Choose the best way to learn for you!

$349.99 for one year

Automatically renews

$79/one-off payment

Free

Develop skills to further your careerFulfill your current learning needTry this course - with limits
Access to this courseticktick

Limited to 6 weeks

Access to 1,000+ coursestickcrosscross
Learn at your own paceticktickcross
Discuss your learning in commentstickticktick
Certificate when you're eligibleDigital onlyPrinted and digitalcross
Continue & Upgrade

Cancel for free anytime

Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Buy this course

$79/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Subscribe & save

$349.99 for one year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Start learning today

Free

Try this course - with limits

  • Limited to 6 weeks

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

Learner reviews

Learner reviews cannot be loaded due to your cookie settings. Please and refresh the page to view this content.

Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...

You can use the hashtag #FLlinguistics to talk about this course on social media.