This text explores, in an accessible way, key areas of modern society in which language constitutes power and social relations. These are presented in five sections: multilingualism, identity and ethnicity; language and generation; language and gender; language and the media; and language and organizations. With a combination of selected readings and student-centred tasks in a single volume, the book covers contemporary issues in language and power, ranging from the global to the interpersonal. It incorporates both macro and micro perspectives, and includes resource material used in linguistics workshops with undergraduates. Each section comprises: a substantial, specific introduction which draws students' attention to key themes and issues relevant to its topic; a set of four or five selected readings which encourages students to locate critically these issues in context; and a task, or set of tasks, obliging students to undertake "hands-on" linguistic analysis of data and/or engage in more sophisticated discussion of pertinent issues.