Introductory Remarks

Abstract

Research within the domain of applied linguistics is at the moment lively and vigorous. Exciting work is being conducted in many settings by scholars trained in diverse areas of specialization. Certainly the inclusion of separate strands in (at least) psycholinguistics and sociolinguistics is now obligatory in most graduate programs in linguistics, bilingual education, foreign language education, or English as a second or foreign language, whereas the subjects were just beginning to be introduced two decades ago. The vitality of the Linguistic Society of America (LSA), the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and other organizations bodes well for the strength of our discipline. Annual or semi-annual meetings of each of these groups are well attended and offer broad, stimulating programs for participants. These organizations directly or indirectly sponsor a range of scholarly publications widely distributed to a broad membership.