Role of Linguistics in Language Teaching

Abstract

Linguists identify the distinctive features of language which make language stands apart from other means of communication.  Linguists and Applied Linguists argue that language teachers should be aware of the linguistic theories formulated by both theoretical linguists and applied linguists. Language teachers act as communicators, educators, evaluators and agents of socialization. An awareness of the rules of linguistic theories places them ahead and the transaction process gets facilitated.  This paper presents the role of Theoretical Linguists and Applied Linguists in theoretical formulations for language teachings. The paper also examines the theories of language acquisition. There have been discussions at the various levels about the role of linguistics in language teaching in the area of communication, in the inculcation of speaking skills and when the language teacher becomes educator, evaluator and agent of socialization.