Abstract
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p> The overview for the Language Policy and Planning section of <jats:italic>The Encyclopedia of Applied Linguistics</jats:italic> introduces language policy and planning as it is studied in applied linguistics. It covers the concepts, issues, and practices involved in planned, and sometimes unplanned, change and innovation in language and communication as they have occurred throughout the world. This overview shows some of the vast scope and importance of language planning and policy by outlining how language policy and planning are evident in the world, identifying their spheres of activity, describing the actions that carry out language policy and planning that have proven to be consequential in a variety of different contexts. </jats:p>