Applied Linguistics: Brazilian perspectives

The aim of this paper is to present perspectives in Applied Linguistics (AL) against the background of a historical overview of the field in Brazil. I take the stance of looking at AL as a field of knowledge and as a professional area of research. This point of view directs my reflections towards research-based Applied Linguistics carried out from within in places where it is continuously developed, that is, in universities. Having done this, I locate the Brazilian experience within Latin America.