THE INFLUENCE OF LINGUISTIC THEORY ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING: A CRITICAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Linguistics, understood as the scientific exploration of language, has grown into a foundational discipline for modern language education. As English maintains its status as a global lingua franca, educators increasingly rely on linguistic theory to enhance teaching methodologies and design effective curricula. Rather than remaining an abstract academic field, linguistics has offered concrete tools that shape practical classroom strategies. This paper critically explores the diverse ways in which linguistic theories and subfields inform and influence English Language Teaching (ELT), offering both conceptual frameworks and applied teaching solutions.