Didactics
* Focus: Primarily on the process of teaching and learning a language. It encompasses various aspects of language pedagogy, including:
* Teaching methods: Direct method, communicative approach, grammar-translation method, etc.
* Curriculum design: Developing syllabuses, choosing materials, and organizing learning experiences.
* Assessment and evaluation: Designing and interpreting tests, evaluating student progress.
* Teacher training: Preparing teachers to effectively implement language teaching practices.
* Scope: Focuses on the practical aspects of language teaching in real-world settings, like classrooms.
* Nature: More practical and applied, drawing upon theoretical frameworks from various disciplines (linguistics, psychology, education) to inform pedagogical practice.
Applied Linguistics
* Focus: Broader in scope, encompassing the application of linguistic theories and methods to real-world problems related to language. This includes:
* Language acquisition: How individuals learn languages naturally.
* Second language acquisition: How learners acquire a new language.
* Language policy: How language is used and regulated in society.
* Language assessment: Developing valid and reliable assessments of language proficiency.
* Language technology: Developing and utilizing language-based technologies.
* Scope: Deals with a wide range of issues related to language, from individual language learning to societal language use.
* Nature: More theoretical and research-oriented, often employing rigorous methodologies to investigate language phenomena and develop solutions to practical problems.
In summary:
* Didactics is a branch of applied linguistics that specifically focuses on language teaching and learning.
* Applied linguistics encompasses a broader range of topics related to language, including language acquisition, language policy, and language technology.
Relationship: Applied linguistics provides the theoretical foundation for didactics. Didactics draws on insights from applied linguistics to inform pedagogical practices and develop effective language teaching strategies.
It's important to note that the boundaries between didactics and applied linguistics are not always clear-cut. There is significant overlap and interdisciplinary work between these two fields.