1. Applied Linguistics (Language Teaching and Learning)
Saeed Karimi-Aghdam
Abstract
Language learning strategies, “the techniques or devices which a learner may use to acquire knowledge” (Rubin, 1975, p. 43) or more pertinently “complex, dynamic thoughts and actions, selected and used by learners with some degree of consciousness in specific contexts” (Oxford, ...
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Language learning strategies, “the techniques or devices which a learner may use to acquire knowledge” (Rubin, 1975, p. 43) or more pertinently “complex, dynamic thoughts and actions, selected and used by learners with some degree of consciousness in specific contexts” (Oxford, 2017, p. 48), have been widely researched and discussed for more than forty years since the mid-1970s. Shifting the focus to language learner from language teacher, from language teaching methodology to language learning styles, and from transfer of information to construction of knowledge as the fulcra of language learning process are qualities which brought language learning strategies into high vogue. The language learner no longer was viewed as an inert and passive meaning-apprehending receptacle devoid of creative agency; rather, language learner was viewed as an active and meaning-giving individual who is endowed with creative agency for envisioning and generating a course of actions to achieve his/her language using and learning objectives. Thus, language learner’s capacity to perform intentional and goal-oriented actions regarding how to initiate, guide, and sustain language learning process and how to attain high language proficiency received considerable attention in the extant research literature. The great swell of academic interest in language learning strategies reached its sharp crescendo in the 1980s and early 1990s (e.g., O’Malley & Chamot, 1990; Cohen, 1998).
2. Applied Linguistics (Inspirations from neighbor disciplines)
Sahar Ahmadpour
Abstract
The book New Geographies of Language: Language, Culture and Politics in Wales is naturally seeking a very interesting goal rarely been witnessed before. For one thing, it is trying to mix language and linguistics with a totally distinct science, geography. For another, geography happens to be a literally ...
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The book New Geographies of Language: Language, Culture and Politics in Wales is naturally seeking a very interesting goal rarely been witnessed before. For one thing, it is trying to mix language and linguistics with a totally distinct science, geography. For another, geography happens to be a literally exotic science. Students all around the world might be generally of two types: Those who love geography (the author belonged to this category), and those who loath it. This is enough for considering geography as not being a regular science. Therefore, Rhys Jones and Huw Lewis have put a really difficult task on their hands. Bringing linguistics and geography together might seem very risky at first, but by reading this book one realizes that it has been well worth it. The book contains 8 chapters all being clearly related to each other. So only a brief account of chapters will be introduced here. The most important concern of the book is to bring into lights how a nation’s status can be altered by attending to educating language in connection to its history and culture.
2. Applied Linguistics (Inspirations from neighbor disciplines)
Ghader Razmjou
Abstract
Ecolinguistics: language and ecology delivers an overall view and a critical approach on ecolinguistic studies. This book is an excellent resource to students, researchers, linguists and those working in the area of discourse analysis as well as ecology. The book claims presenting a news course for ecolinguistics ...
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Ecolinguistics: language and ecology delivers an overall view and a critical approach on ecolinguistic studies. This book is an excellent resource to students, researchers, linguists and those working in the area of discourse analysis as well as ecology. The book claims presenting a news course for ecolinguistics including a framework for understanding the theory of ecolinguistics, exploration of consumerism, and discourse analysis of texts of different types. In reviewing this book, the principal criteria included content, organization, theories and reference sources. Arran Stibbe, the author of the book, is a Reader in ecological Linguistics at the University of Gloucestershire where he teaches ecolinguisstics, discourse analysis, ethics and language and communication for leadership. His research and teaching examines how language encodes the stories we live by, and shapes how we see ourselves and our relationship with other animals and the earth. This involves linguistic analysis of a wide range of discourses, from advertising which encourages people to buy unnecessary and ecologically damaging products, to the inspirational language of nature writing.
Bahram Behin
Abstract
Applied Literature, however, does not have literature at its centre. Literature in this domain is a tool to solve problems and achieve goals. Using literature to teach and learn languages, the application of literature to language education, is a very handy example. Health Humanities (by Crawford, et ...
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Applied Literature, however, does not have literature at its centre. Literature in this domain is a tool to solve problems and achieve goals. Using literature to teach and learn languages, the application of literature to language education, is a very handy example. Health Humanities (by Crawford, et al. and reviewed by A. Ramazani in our Journal's previous issue) comprises chapters on how literature can be used for health purposes. Medical Humanities is introduced as “the engagement of medicine with the humanities and arts, social sciences, health policy, medical education, patient experience and the public at large.” A shift is observable here from pure objective scientific endeavour based on the segregation of seemingly unrelated fields to the integration of them for more practical purposes.The role attributed to the public at large in these equations demands careful consideration. In traditional literary studies, as stated above, the textuality of literature is central. But in Applied Literature the text is no longer our precious object. Some reader-oriented literary theories have shifted our attentionradically from the text to the reader. In these theories, the literary critic is no longer the sole source of justification and interpretation of literature.Determining the literariness of the text and its interpretation lies with the reader. This might eventually lead to the well-beingness of the reader, which, once achieved, fulfils the applied literature critic’s wish! Thus, those with inclination towards the reader in literary studies may have an affinitywith applied literature critics that move towards the public at large.