ABOUT MAALIC

The Malaysian Association of Applied Linguistics International Conference (MAALIC) is a biennial conference organised by MAAL and supported by various institutions and organisations. It aims to bring applied linguists from across the regions together to network and share research outcomes and experiences.

THE 2ND MALAYSIAN ASSOCIATION OF APPLIED LINGUISTICS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE (MAALIC 2021)

THEME: Applied Linguistics Research and Practices in a VUCA World: Embracing Digitalisation, Challenges and New Norms

The COVID-19 pandemic is one manifestation of the volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world we live in. Despite strenuous efforts to encourage sustainable practices, we can never predict what lurks around the corner. Repeated systemic crises are inevitable if we are unable to transform from fragile into more sustainable and resilient economies and societies. What is the role of education to address the challenges faced by the global communities today?

Inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) introduced in 2015, this conference aims to explore how SDG 4: Quality Education could play a catalytic role to achieve the objectives of the other SDGs. Specifically, what is the role of applied linguistics, as part of the greater quality education agenda, in addressing the issues of poverty, hunger, lack of inclusivity, inequality? How does or could applied linguistics promote good health and well-being, responsible consumption, care for life on land, and under water and greater gender equality? How could the field of applied linguistics advocate peace, justice and strong institutions and encourage cooperation to strengthen partnerships to achieve the SDGs? These are but some of the areas which will be deliberated upon in this ambitious conference.

Language and linguistics play central roles in our daily lives. It could build or destroy a family, a community or a nation. This conference aims to showcase how applied linguistics and its sub-fields interpret the events which unravel in our VUCA world, as well as share insights on how applied linguistics can be used as a tool to provide solutions for a more sustainable world. We anticipate lively exchange of ideas on how language and communication in a multiplicity of languages and settings can help us brave the current bleak global landscape to move forward confidently to embrace new norms.