An Introduction to Applied Linguistics: From Practice to Theory (Edinburgh Textbooks in Applied Linguistics)

Language and language problems affect us all and are an integral part of our social experience. Alan Davies takes this premise as his starting point and proceeds to argue that, rather than simply studying or reading about it, applied linguistics is best understood in practice. In the process of setting this practical outlook against the historical background and changing public needs and competing ideologies, Davies demonstrates how theory can be derived.