The interdisciplinary combination of Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies is Carleton’s unique approach to the study of language, bringing together several research areas that have previously had separate academic traditions.
- In contrast to formal Linguistics with its focus on the structure of language, Applied Linguistics emphasizes language as a system of communication and a form of social action. Its areas of investigation include how languages are assessed, learned and taught.
- Discourse Studies takes a “multi-modal” approach, examining how written, spoken and visual modes of communication interact in workplace and academic settings, as well as in the media and social networking. This field also emphasizes language as a tool for communication and action in professional and social contexts.
Graduates with degrees in Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies are well-placed to take jobs in language education, in government and business, in NGOs, and emerging technologies, both in Canada and abroad.
Read About What These Grads Are Doing With Their Degrees
Research Areas in Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies
Our faculty members are active in the research of the following areas:
| Area of Research |
Faculty Member |
| Computer-assisted language learning (CALL) | Peggy Hartwick, Geoffrey G. Pinchbeck, Michael Rodgers |
| Second and foreign language teaching (including TESL); curriculum and methodology in second and foreign language teaching | Randall Gess, Eva Kartchava, Geoffrey G. Pinchbeck, Brian Strong, Peggy Hartwick |
| Language testing and assessment | Angel Arias, Peggy Hartwick |
| Languages for Academic/Specific Purposes | Angel Arias, Guillaume Gentil, Geoffrey G. Pinchbeck, Michael Rodgers, Peggy Hartwick |
| Second language acquisition | Randall Gess, Eva Kartchava, Geoffrey G. Pinchbeck, Michael Rodgers, Brian Strong, Peggy Hartwick |
| Second language pronunciation | Randall Gess |
| Formulaic language and phraseology | Brian Strong |
| Writing in academic, professional, and community contexts | Natasha Artemeva, Guillaume Gentil, Geoffrey G. Pinchbeck, Jaffer Sheyholislami, Graham Smart, Rachelle Vessey, Peggy Hartwick |
| Second language writing and biliteracy | Guillaume Gentil |
Discourse analysis
|
Natasha Artemeva, Chris Cox, Guillaume Gentil, Marie-Odile Junker, Jaffer Sheyholislami, Graham Smart, Rachelle Vessey |
| Language and identity | Erik Anonby, Chris Cox, Guillaume Gentil, Jaffer Sheyholislami, Rachelle Vessey |
| Language policy and language preservation | Erik Anonby, Chris Cox, Marie-Odile Junker, Jaffer Sheyholislami, Rachelle Vessey |
| Language documentation and language mapping | Erik Anonby, Chris Cox, Marie-Odile Junker |