This book, by one of the leading figures in applied linguistics, provides a wide-ranging and comprehensive treatment of the major issues. Its six chapters take the reader through the major tenets and debates in the field and are essential reading for anyone involved in applied linguistics and language teaching today. 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. While not neglecting theory, the book takes a practical approach and language teachers, as well as university level students, will find it a useful read.