Linguistic landscape: Theory and practical applications in EFL and ESP

Abstract Linguistic Landscape: Theory and Practical Applications IN EFL and ESP Since the first definition of the Linguistic Landscape by Landry and Bourhis in their oft- quoted essay Linguistic Landscape and Ethnolinguistic Vitality: An Empirical Study (1997), studies and research concerning this concept have been flourishing. As is well known, the material that constitute the Linguistic Landscape—from multilingual signage such as shop signs, posters, street names and public signs on buildings, including the languages that may be heard in a given urban area—have been studied from multiple perspectives and disciplines, such as sociolinguistics, minority languages, multilingualism, language policy and language awareness, teaching and geosemiotics. This chapter focuses in particular on recent contributions concerning the use of the Linguistic Landscape in foreign and second language teaching, which enhances research into new methodological as well as didactic techniques applicable to diverse teaching contexts, from elementary school to university. By going beyond the traditional boundaries of the classroom, using the Linguistic Landscape to teach foreign languages also tackles crucial issues such as cultural and language awareness.