Important Topics in Applied Linguistics

This book is intended for Libyan university English majors, who, from my experience as a lecturer in the English department, know almost nothing about the topics being discussed in the field of applied linguistics nowadays. It is an attempt to acquaint those students with the subjects explained here. It focuses on six issues related to the learning of language. First, It starts by discussing different views on language acquisition. Then, in the second chapter, it moves to explain motivation in some detail. It presents several definitions proposed by various scholars for the term. After that it discusses the distinction made between integrative and instrumental motivation. In chapter three, we introduce the term 'learner autonomy' and explain it in some detail. Then, the relationship between autonomy and the control over Learning management, content and cognitive processes. This chapter also looks at fostering learner autonomy and the reasons to promote learner autonomy in Libya. It concludes with some practices to foster autonomy in Libyan classrooms. The fourth chapter offers an overview of language learning strategies and traces the stages of research in this area. At the end, it reviews some of the factors affecting strategy use. The fifth chapter is a case study of a Libyan language learner. The study investigates the beliefs about language learning held by a male Libyan learner and his strategies use. The sixth chapter reviews the methods and criteria used to evaluate computer assisted language learning. Finally, the last chapter discusses the factors affecting English teaching and its materials Preparation in Libya.