The controversial subject positioning and research scope of applied linguistics led to the birth of educational linguistics. International educational linguistics studies has demonstrated a diversified trend and formed three major schools within more than 40 years’ development. At the same time, domestic research in this field is increasingly in line with international researches, the concept of educational linguistics with Chinese characteristics has begun to take shape. This article intends to discuss the relevance of educational linguistics and applied linguistics, its research scope, subject positioning and development prospects by concluding the rise, growth and maturity of educational linguistics and its schools. It is hoped that researchers home and abroad will have a comprehensive understanding towards educational linguistics.