122221 SE Linguistics Seminar / BA Paper / MA applied linguistics & TEFL (2013W)

Language is an inextricable part of formal education and numerous educational issues implicate language. In many education systems today, English in has acquired a status that accords it a central position in the education of the younger generation, almost making it part of a general ‘literacy’ requirement. Linguistics as the science of language has relevant insights to offer for deepening our understanding of English language education, raising awareness, enabling rational decisions and informing practice. Linguistics is therefore called upon to apply its insights to questions arising in the sphere of education, linking them, when necessary with insights from other disciplines like sociology, anthropology or psychology. The seminar will explore a range of concerns that educational linguistics deals with but particular emphasis will lie on language use in the classroom and the lesson as the core event of formal education.