Product Code: 1335368447

An Introduction to Applied Linguistics is a valuable addition to its field as it devotes attention to multiple subfields and maintains a sophisticated tone for an introductory text. The book is geared primarily to readers and scholars outside the immediate realm of Applied Linguistics, yet linguistics knowledge is necessary to fully appreciate the contents. Norbert Schmitt has organized a collection of fifteen chapters subdivided into three sections: a description of language and language use, essential areas of enquiry in applied linguistics, and language skills and assessment. Each chapter relates an expert consensus of its subfield, while allowing room for enquiry, interpretation and deduction. The chapters are co-authored by a total of 31 specialists, including some of the most renowned names in the field, such as Diane Larsen-Freeman (Grammar), Paul Nation (Vocabulary), and Patricia L. Carrell (Reading) to name a few. Each addresses general information with some current trends and key issues in the subfield. Some chapter titles, however, may be found misleading as they do not always reflect the whole of their contents. For example, "Speaking and Pronunciation," deals more with speaking and discourse rather than pronunciation.