120226 SE MA Seminar - Focus: Applied Linguistics / Linguistics Seminar (2025S)

This seminar introduces you to new directions in research and practice in Applied Linguistics in the context of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI refers to an evolving set of technologies, dating back to the 1950s, which allows the completion of tasks and functions that would normally require a human’s intelligence. Trained on large language models, generative AI (genAI) is a type of AI that produces unique content (text, video, audio, images etc.), based on a user’s prompt. At this moment in time, generative AI (GenAI) technologies in particular encourages the field of applied linguistics to explore innovative approaches to communication. For applied linguists, trending fields include the use of AI in the teaching and learning industry, translation, as well as professional, intercultural and academic communication.
In this class, we will explore current empirical and conceptual articles in sociolinguistics and applied linguistics that centre the use of AI in research and practice. We will also engage with critical scholarly debates that promote a responsible and ethical use of AI in applied linguistic contexts. We will further examine practical strategies for trialling and integrating (gen)AI tools in different communicative contexts (e.g. academic research, text production, comprehension, or language revisions).
This seminar is exploratory in nature, based on state-of-the-art readings about AI and Applied Linguistics, and practice-based examples of the use of AI in different applied linguistic contexts. This will allow you to carry out your own empirical small-scale research for the purpose of your seminar papers. Your will undertake empirical case studies, for example, based on interviews or surveys about language and AI or an analysis of AI-driven language solutions).

Aims:
• You will develop knowledge about the concept of AI and AI tools in Applied Linguistics
• You will gain insights into current studies in Applied Linguistics / Sociolinguistics that focus on AI
• You will develop a critical understanding of the use of AI, its affordances and pitfalls
• You will get familiar with practice-based examples of the use of AI

Method of the course:
*This course is blocked and mixed, with digital sessions via Zoom and in-person sessions on days as indicated in the timeline below.*
We will engage with the topic via readings, practice-based activities, joint discussions, group work, assignments, mini-presentations and individual research. By undertaking small-scale empirical studies (e.g. via interviews, surveys about AI or an analysis of AI-driven solutions), you will gain experience in undertaking case study research and gain insights into the multiple facets of AI in Applied Linguistics.