Applied linguistics is a broad discipline covering a range of topics. This course consists of a series of seminars in which graduate students are provided with an opportunity to directly engage with some of the major research areas of applied linguistics, and language and culture studies, as carried out here at ANU. Current ANU researchers will each present a seminar to introduce students to their area of research and to contextualise their own particular research topic within the broader field. Students will have an opportunity to go ‘behind the scenes' to find out more about the subject matter, how the subject matter links to the broader area of applied linguistics and language and culture research, how the researchers carried out their research, what methodology they used, what difficulties they encountered. Applied linguistics, and language and culture issues covered in the course include language in its social context, second language acquisition, discourse analysis and critical discourse analysis, language attitudes and ideologies, language and culture education. Topics in Applied Linguistics A: Language Learning and Education will be offered in Semester I and is complementary with its sister course offered in Semester 2, Topics in Applied Linguistics B: Language, Text and Discourses. These two courses are core courses for PG coursework students in Masters of Applied Linguistics. Topics in Applied Linguistics A and  Topics in Applied Linguistics B can be taken in any order.

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

1. Identify key theoretical concepts and issues across a range of applied linguistics, and language and culture topics.
2. Critically evaluate some of the methodological issues within applied linguistics, and language and culture.
3. Reflect on and discuss their own learning as it relates to the subject matter of the course.
4. Think about, write and present a well-structured research project based on an applied linguistics or languages and culture topic.

Online discussion group (30%)

Presentation at a mini one-day conference (20%)

Research project of 4 - 5,000 words (50%)

The course will consist of fortnightly seminars in two x 2-hour blocks (totalling 4 hours). Students can expect to put in 6 hours of study per week outside of class time.

Students are recommended to take Applied Linguistics Research and Writing A (LINGxxxx) as a co-requisite course with Topics in Applied Linguistics A: Language Learning and Education. For students undertaking PG coursework program in Applied Linguistics, they are required to take Applied Linguistics Research and Writing A (LINGxxxx) as a co-requisite course with Topics in Applied Linguistics A: Language Learning and Education.

This course is part of a suite of courses offered to students in the Applied Linguistics Graduate Program, including the Graduate Certificate in Applied Linguistics, Graduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics and Masters of Applied Linguistics. Students do not require any prior linguistics or applied linguistics prior to commencing this course.

An electronic  reading brick will be made available. The brick will include two articles for each of the 6 fortnightly topics. One will be an introductory article for each topic; the other will be a research paper nominated by the seminar presenter. (Where appropriate, the research paper will have been written by the seminar presenter.)

Other than normal internet access (for example, for Wattle or the course online discussion board and course blog), no special equipment is required to access materials to complete the course.