"This book, by one of the leading figures in applied linguists, provides a wide-ranging and comprehensive treatment of the major issues in applied linguistics. It outlines the historical roots of the field and its major developments over the years, and examines current issues such as language modelling and the analysis of discourse. The book takes the reader through the major tenets and debates in the field and is essential reading to anyone involved in applied linguistics and language teaching today."--BOOK JACKET.