The Applied Linguistics Association of Serbia (ALAS) has been functioning under this name since 2006. However, it follows in the footsteps of a long tradition of doing research in the field of applied linguistics, which started in the former Yugoslavia, under the name of the Yugoslav Society of Applied Linguistics. The Yugoslav Society of Applied Linguistics (later transformed into an Association of Yugoslav Societies of Applied Linguistics) was established in 1973 in Novi Sad, by a group of linguist enthusiasts – subsequently to become doyens of linguistic science in this region – led by Melanija Mikeš, Ranko Bugarski, Vladimir Ivir, Olga Mišeska Tomić and others. The society grew in different forms as the years passed, but with the disintegration of the common state it too inevitably underwent substantial organizational changes. The parent association gave birth to several independent societies, including the Association of Applied Linguistics of Serbia and Montenegro (2003) and thereafter the Applied Linguistics Association of Serbia (2006).
Our association is a professional organization of individuals (and institutions) interested and active in applied linguistics research. Membership is open to all those with a professional interest in issues that have to do with applied linguistics. We provide leadership nationally in promoting scientific research carried out within the framework of applied linguistics, and facilitate distribution and exchange of information. One of our goals is also to encourage and support cooperation with institutions of applied linguistics (centers, institutes, associations) at the national and the international levels.
ALAS is especially proud of the organization of international congresses and publication of its journal – Primenjena lingvistika (Applied linguistics). We organize our congresses in cooperation with the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad and the Faculty of Philology in Belgrade. These congresses are designed around thematic panels and have an average attendance of 100-150 participants (mainly from the region, but also from other countries). The congresses include plenary lectures given by scholars of international prestige, as well as workshops and seminars organized around a particular aspect of applied linguistics. A selection of the papers presented at the congresses is published in the proceedings, edited by each of the organizing committees.
One of our publishing activities is the publication of the series Primenjena lingvistika u čast (Applied Linguistics in Honour). The first volume was dedicated to distinguished Professor Ranko Bugarski (who was the first president of the Association of Yugoslav Societies of Applied Linguistics), the second to Professor Dušanka Točanac, and the third volume to Professor Vesna Berić-Đukić.
Our new team is made up of:
President: Borko Kovačević, University of Belgrade
Vice President: Olga Panić Kavgić, University of Novi Sad
General Secretary: Nataša Radusin Bardić, University of Novi Sad
Executive Secretary: Ana Vujović, University of Belgrade
Treasurer: Gordana Ristić, University of Novi Sad
ALAS members regularly conduct research projects, consultancies and professional learning for groups and organizations, including government agencies, business, community organizations and other professional associations.
