应用语言学是一个蓬勃发展的领域，为语言相关问题的实证研究和解决提供理论和描述基础，尤其是语言教育（第一语言，第二语言，外语和传统语言的教学和学习），以及双语和双语能力，语言政策，语言评估，翻译和口译，词典编纂，修辞和构成以及语言危害和复兴等问题。在这些领域表现出能力的学生会增加他们的就业机会，因为许多职位描述都表明他们偏爱应用语言学或第二语言习得的候选人。此外，随着美国和世界各地第二语言学习者的不断增加，以及对少数民族语言和方言使用者的关注的日益增长，所有语言学家必须有基本的了解应用语言学的理论和实践。<
Applied Linguistics is a growing and vibrant field that provides theoretical and descriptive foundations for the empirical investigation and solution of language-related issues, especially those of language education (first language, second language, foreign language and heritage language teaching and learning), but also issues of bilingualism and biliteracy, language policy, language assessment, translation and interpretation, lexicography, rhetoric and composition, and language endangerment and revitalization. Students who demonstrate competence in these areas increase their opportunities for employment, as many job descriptions indicate a preference for candidates with an emphasis in applied linguistics or second language acquisition. Moreover, with the ever-increasing number of second language learners in the United States and around the world, as well as with the growing concern with the situation of speakers of minority languages and dialects, it is essential for all linguists to have a fundamental understanding of the theories and practices of applied linguistics.