Social Class in Applied Linguistics

Block, David (2014). Social Class in Applied Linguistics. London: Routledge.

Social Class in Applied Linguistics proposes a new working definition of social class in applied linguistics. Traditionally, research on language and identity has focused on aspects such as race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, religion and sexuality, and political economy, along with social class as an identity inscription, have been undervalued. It argues that increasing socioeconomic inequality, which has come with the consolidation of neoliberal policies and practices worldwide, requires changes in how we think about identity and proposes that social class should be brought to the fore as a key construct. The book begins with an in-depth theoretical discussion of social class before considering the extent to which social class has been a key construct in three general areas of applied linguistics- sociolinguistics, bi/multilingualism and second language acquisition and learning research. Throughout the book, the author suggests ways in which social class might be incorporated into future applied linguistics research.