The Role of Linguistic in English Language Teaching

Nancy Putri Utami*

Magister Tadris Bahasa Inggris, Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara, Indonesia

Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]

Abstract
Linguistics is required in English language teachers since it assists teachers in
explaining to pupils the English components and structures. Every language has a
linguistic system or norms that may be learnt in terms of phonology, morphology,
syntax, and semantics. English language teachers, on the other hand, should be
integrated with other subjects such as psychology, education- cognitive science,
anthropology, language acquisition, sociology, bilingualism, and language teaching.
Knowing the students is critical for teachers in order to establish suitable classroom
environments. The teachers must be compassionate and patient with their students,
and must be able to put themselves in their shoes. In general, the goal of English
teachers is to prepare students to communicate effectively and eloquently in both
spoken and written formats. To accomplish this goal, the teachers must recognize
that pupils are not blank slates waiting to be filled with information. The teachers
can serve as a coach, mediator, or consultant, but they must allow pupils to explore,
ask questions, and share their opinions. Teaching English as a foreign language
necessitates a wide range of skills and tactics. An English teacher is supposed to be
familiar with the pupils and the teaching objectives, as well as the subject matter,
certain teaching methods, and a broad general knowledge. Furthermore, in order to
be a good role model for their students, English teachers must be very motivated in
their work.
Keywords: linguistics; English; teaching

INTRODUCTION
Language is a way of expressing one's thoughts and feelings. Everyone
requires language to survive and advance in life. Some people solely speak their
native language and have little contact with others. Many people, however, attempt
to study or acquire different languages in order to achieve greater success in life.
English was picked as one of the languages because of its strategic role in the globe.
Millions of people study English as a second or foreign language since it is the
most widely spoken language in the world. In this regard, attempts have been made
to improve the effectiveness of English instruction. English language instruction has
grown in importance as a means of preparing people to utilize the language both
orally and in writing.

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 Chomsky stated at a recent conference of language teachers that linguists
never intend to address the problems of teaching a language because their task is
simply to observe, study, and try to formulate the rules or description of how people
actually speak.
English is taught in Indonesia beginning in elementary school and continuing
through university. It is a prerequisite for admission to a higher level of study.
Particularly for graduate and postgraduate courses. The role of English in
worldwide trade, business, and tourism has grown in importance. We may
undoubtedly argue that English has become the world's language. Many individuals
all around the world want to study English in order to thrive in numerous sectors,
notably in higher education.
Teachers should not study a science only for the pleasure of studying it, but
rather strive to get as much profit as possible from it. For example, an English
teacher who studies chemistry does so not only for the purpose of chemistry or his
or her skills in that discipline, but rather to gain as much advantage as possible from
it and to address his or her difficulties.
With this in mind, let us now consider some prospective linguistic
contributions to English education. Linguistic knowledge will be more valuable for
English teachers in finding a good technique of teaching it.
LITERATURE REVIEW
The Concept of Linguistic
According to Brinton (2000: 10), "Linguistics is defined as the study of
language systems." Language systems relate to four components: phonology,
morphology, syntax, and semantics. Brinton claims that each of the four parts
(phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics) has its own language
system. The system learns based on each piece.
Meyer (2009: 2), on the other hand, claims that "the study of language is
conducted within the field of linguistics." Similarly, Crystal (2010: 239) states,
"Linguistics is the science of language." Linguists are those who study language in
this manner." Meyer and Crystal both believe that language is the fundamental
element in linguistics that will separate them and develop science investigations.
Because the language is so big, all languages throughout the world have many
elements in common, according to Brinton's perspective of the system. In this way,
the system is similar to a collection of pieces that will eventually combine to form a
complete language.
According to Hornby, Gatenby, and Wakefield (1961: 733), as stated in
Pateda (2011: 1), "Linguistics as an adjective 'of the study of language and
languages' whereas lingusitic word as a noun 'the science of language';'methods of
learning; and'studying languages'." Linguist (N) is defined as "a person who is skilled
in foreign languages." They meant two-word classes, adjective and noun, as defined
by the concept of linguistic, one for learning about languages and the other for
understanding of language itself.
In other words, linguistics is the study of language itself, namely how the
structure of language, such as sounds, words, and sentences, may be constructed in
written or oral form. The five branches of linguistic science are phonology,
morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. Learning linguistics necessitates

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knowledge of language theory. Linguistics teaches about how language works and
how it is used, created, and maintained across time. To put it another way, linguistics
is the fundamental component that focuses on studying the structure of language.
Linguistics in Language Teaching
The importance of linguistics in language education cannot be overstated.
According to Carter (1982), a language instructor who understands the structure of
language would be able to advise his students in their choice of vocabulary and
grammar structures. It should be emphasized that not every teacher is required to
become a skilled field linguist with expertise in comparative theoretical methods.
Without a background in linguistics, it would be very difficult for a teacher using
linguistic-based materials to either elaborate on them, or repeat the linguist's
formula in new material, or capitalize on points raised during discussion, or to
maintain a coherent line of description.
Linguistics' primary purpose in language instruction is to generate accurate
descriptions of languages. Language instruction has benefited from the description
of human language sounds at the linguistic levels of phonetics and phonology. The
importance of speech in language instruction may be linked to structural linguistics'
impact, as well as an interest in the descriptive study of spoken language. Phonetics
analyzes speech sounds in general, independent of language, whereas phonology
investigates the sound system of a specific language. Phonetics can be useful in
pronunciation teaching (oral) because it gives the language instructor a diagnostic
understanding of how speech is formed. Phonology is required to comprehend what
makes up a language's sound system and how the sounds are internalized by
speakers for communication.
According to Corder (1973), in the subject of applied linguistics, the
relevance of linguistics to language education is indirect, and it is not the linguist's
responsibility to determine what relevance it may have. The relationship between
linguistic theory and the actual teaching materials is indirect. Linguistic theory
cannot offer the criteria for selecting, arranging, or presenting a teaching program's
material on its own. The content of a syllabus, on the other hand, is determined by
theoretical linguistic, sociolinguistic, and psycholinguistic criteria.
Corder proposed that theoretical linguistics provide a distinctive
contribution to language education. He defines three orders of application in which
theoretical linguistics principles are utilized to analyze language data, culminating
to the definition of the second language. The selection of goods is determined by the
second order applications on this basis. Such choices will be aided by contrastive
analysis (which compares L1 and L2 to identify differences that are likely to cause
difficulty for the learner) and error analysis (which identifies learner errors and
compares them to the L2), yielding an inventory from which the linguistic content
of the syllabus and teaching materials can be determined at the third-order or level
of application.

METHOD
In this research, the author uses library research, which is a series of activities
related to library data collection methods. According to Abdul Rahman Sholeh, library
research is research that uses ways to obtain information data by placing facilities in

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libraries such as books, magazines, documents, records of historical stories or pure
library research related to the object of research.
According to M. Nazir, literature study is a data collection technique by
conducting a study of books, literature, notes, and reports that have to do with the
problem being solved. Literature study is an important step where after a researcher
determines the research topic, the next step is to conduct a study related to the theory
and research topic. In searching for theories, researchers will collect as much
information as possible from related literature. Literature sources can be obtained
from books, journals, magazines, research results (theses and dissertations), and
other appropriate sources (internet, newspapers, etc.). When researchers have
obtained relevant literature, it is immediately organized for use in research.
Therefore, literature study includes general processes such as systematically
identifying theories, finding literature, and analysing documents containing
information related to the research topic with the research topic.

FINDINGS
In the field of English Language Teaching (ELT), the study of linguistics plays
a crucial role in understanding and effectively teaching the English language.
Linguistics in ELT focuses on the scientific analysis of language and its components,
including its structure, sound system, grammar, vocabulary, and discourse.
Linguistics plays a fundamental role in ELT by providing a scientific understanding
of language structure, supporting accurate language instruction, facilitating error
analysis, promoting language awareness, and guiding curriculum development. It
empowers teachers to make informed decisions, address learners' language needs
effectively, and promote language acquisition in the classroom

DISCUSSION
Understanding Language Structure
Linguistics enables teachers to comprehend the intricate structure of the
English language. By studying phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and
semantics, teachers gain a deep understanding of how sounds, words, and grammar
function in English. This knowledge allows educators to identify common errors and
challenges faced by learners, enabling them to design targeted instructional
strategies.
The concept of linguistics refers to the scientific study of language and its
structure. Linguists examine various aspects of language, including its sounds
(phonetics and phonology), word formation and meaning (morphology and
semantics), sentence structure (syntax), and language use in context (pragmatics).
Linguistics seeks to understand how languages are structured, how they are
acquired and used by individuals, and how they evolve and change over time.
a. Phonetics
Phonetics focuses on the physical properties of sounds in human language. It
examines how sounds are produced, transmitted, and perceived, including the
study of articulation (how sounds are formed using the vocal organs), acoustic
properties (the physical properties of sound waves), and auditory perception.
b. Phonology

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 Phonology investigates the way sounds function and pattern in a particular
language or languages. It studies the organization of sounds into meaningful units
(phonemes) and the rules governing their distribution and pronunciation.
Phonological analysis helps explain how sounds interact and how they are used
to convey meaning in specific languages.
c. Morphology
Morphology explores the internal structure of words and how they are formed.
It examines morphemes, which are the smallest units of meaning in language.
Morphology analyzes how morphemes combine to form words and how word
forms change through processes like inflection (adding affixes for tense, number,
etc.) and derivation (creating new words through affixation).
d. Syntax
Syntax focuses on the structure and arrangement of words to form meaningful
sentences. It investigates the rules governing word order, sentence structure,
phrase formation, and the relationships between words and phrases. Syntax
helps understand how sentences are constructed and how meanings are
conveyed through the organization of words.
e. Semantics
Semantics studies the meaning of words, phrases, and sentences. It examines how
meaning is constructed and conveyed in language, including the relationships
between words, the interpretation of ambiguous sentences, and the connection
between language and the world. Semantics explores various aspects of meaning,
such as lexical semantics (word meaning) and compositional semantics (meaning
derived from the combination of words).
e. Pragmatics
Pragmatics investigates how language is used in context and how meaning is
inferred beyond the literal interpretation of words and sentences. It explores how
speakers convey meaning through implied messages, shared knowledge, social
norms, and situational context. Pragmatics examines factors such as speech acts,
conversational implicature, presupposition, and the interpretation of meaning
based on the speaker's intentions and the listener's understanding.
Linguistics plays a crucial role in understanding language acquisition,
language processing, language variation and change, and cross-cultural
communication. It provides valuable insights into the complexity and diversity of
human language and helps us better comprehend the structure and function of the
various languages spoken around the world.
Enhancing Language Awareness
Language awareness plays a pivotal role in our daily lives, shaping our
communication, cognition, and cultural interactions. By fostering a deep
understanding of language structure, its nuances, and its social implications,
individuals can enhance their linguistic competence and engage in more effective
and meaningful communication. This article explores the concept of enhancing
language awareness, its significance, and the various ways it can be developed,
drawing on relevant research and scholarly works.
Language awareness refers to the conscious understanding and knowledge of
language, encompassing its structure, functions, and sociocultural aspects. It

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empowers individuals to recognize and appreciate the intricacies of language,
thereby facilitating effective communication and promoting cultural sensitivity.
Language awareness enables individuals to navigate linguistic diversity,
comprehend different registers and styles, and adapt their language use to various
contexts.
In the realm of education, enhancing language awareness is crucial for both
teachers and students. Educators can incorporate language awareness activities into
their curriculum to promote metalinguistic reflection and develop students'
understanding of language structure. By engaging in tasks such as analyzing texts,
exploring language variation, and examining language in social contexts, students
can develop a deeper appreciation for the power and nuances of language.
Language learners can benefit immensely from activities that enhance their
language awareness. By studying grammar, syntax, and semantics, learners gain
insights into the underlying principles of the target language. They can engage in
tasks such as analyzing authentic texts, engaging in language-based discussions, and
practicing critical thinking about language use. These activities help learners
develop a more comprehensive understanding of the language they are studying and
improve their overall proficiency.
Language awareness goes beyond the structural aspects of language and
extends into the sociocultural Vrating authentic materials in language learning,
participating in language-based discussions, and promoting language reflection
through writing and self-assessment. These strategies help individuals develop a
more profound understanding of language and its multifaceted nature.
Enhancing language awareness is a transformative process that empowers
individuals to navigate the complexities of language, foster effective communication,
and promote cultural understanding. By embracing language as a powerful tool,
individuals can develop a deep appreciation for linguistic diversity and engage in
meaningful interactions across cultures. Language awareness nurtures lifelong
learning and opens doors to new opportunities for personal, academic, and
professional growth.
Informing Language Teaching Methodologies
Linguistic theories and research provide valuable insights into how individuals
acquire language skills, which enables teachers to develop appropriate instructional
techniques. For example, understanding the principles of second language
acquisition helps teachers create immersive environments, incorporate meaningful
input, and design engaging activities that facilitate language learning.
Language teaching methodologies play a crucial role in the process of imparting
language skills to learners. Over the years, linguistic research has significantly
contributed to the development of effective language teaching methods and
approaches. By analyzing the underlying structures and functions of languages,
linguistics provides valuable insights into how languages are learned, processed,
and produced
Linguistics plays a vital role in informing language teaching methodologies.
Through its various branches, linguistics provides valuable insights into the
structure, usage, and acquisition of languages. Phonetics and phonology,
morphology and syntax, semantics and pragmatics, sociolinguistics, and
psycholinguistics all contribute to the development of effective language teaching

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methods. By incorporating linguistic research into their pedagogical practices,
language teachers can enhance their instructional approaches and facilitate
effective language learning experiences for their students.
Addressing Learner Needs
Linguistics enables teachers to identify and address learners' specific needs.
By analyzing learners' errors, language variation, and interlanguage development,
teachers can personalize instruction and provide targeted feedback. Linguistic
analysis helps educators diagnose language difficulties, adjust lesson plans, and
develop remedial strategies to cater to individual learner differences effectively.
Developing Language Materials
Linguistics contributes to the development of language teaching materials. By
applying linguistic knowledge, teachers can design authentic and meaningful
materials that align with learners' language proficiency levels. Linguistics aids in
creating language exercises, textbooks, and multimedia resources that focus on the
language aspects most relevant to learners' needs, ensuring their engagement and
progress.
Fostering Language Research and Professional Development
Linguistics fosters research and professional development in the field of ELT.
By staying informed about linguistic advancements and research findings, teachers
can continually update their teaching practices and adapt to evolving language
learning needs. Linguistic research also informs the creation of innovative teaching
approaches and materials, promoting effective language instruction.

CONCLUSION
Linguistics plays a vital role in English language teaching by providing
teachers with a comprehensive understanding of language structure, enhancing
language awareness, informing teaching methodologies, addressing learner needs,
developing language materials, and fostering research and professional
development. By leveraging linguistic knowledge, educators can design more
effective instructional strategies, improve learner outcomes, and foster language
proficiency in their students. Incorporating linguistics into English language
teaching ensures a pedagogical approach rooted in scientific insights, empowering
both teachers and learners in their language acquisition journey.

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