Part One brings together seven key discussions of the nature and direction of contemporary applied linguistics, relating theory and description of language in use to educational and other professional contexts. Issues include the politics of applied linguistics, its responses to globalisation, and its relation to social theory.

While the discussions in Part One are largely theoretical, Part Two, through abridged versions of thirteen case studies, demonstrates at a much more practical level how general principles formulated in Part One, can be applied to a range of specific real-world problems. While the majority of studies are from educational settings, the breadth of current applied linguistic enquiry is illustrated by others relating to legal forensics, literary analysis, translation, language therapy, lexicography, and workplace communication.

The editors' introductions, both to the volume as a whole and to each individual part, guide the student through the difficult transition from general discussion to specific application, highlighting the most significant issues, and helping the student to see the relevance of both general theory and specific applications to the needs of their own studies, and their professional practice beyond. Applied Linguistics in Action: A Reader is essential reading for advanced level undergraduates and postgraduates on Applied Linguistics, English Language, and TESOL/TEFL courses.