English as an International Language

Perspectives and Pedagogical Issues

Farzad Sharifian editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Channel View Publications Ltd

Published:8th Jan '09

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

English as an International Language cover

The rapid global spread of the English language has serious linguistic, ideological, socio-cultural, political, and pedagogical implications as it creates both positive interactions and negative tensions between global and local forces. Accordingly, debate about issues such as the native/non-native divide, the politics of an international language, communication in a Lingua Franca, the choice of a model for ELT, and the link between English and identity(ies) has stimulated scholarly inquiry in an unprecedented way. The chapters in this volume revisit, challenge, and expand upon established arguments and positions regarding the politics, policies, pedagogies, and practices of English as an international language, as well as its sociolinguistic and socio-psychological complexities.

This praiseworthy and useful volume is highly commendable not only for linguists but also for English language practitioners. It provides a step forward in this new and vibrant field of research.

-- Carmen Luján García, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, English World-Wide

The volume English as an International Language presents an inspired inquiry into the multifaceted role of Englishes for global communication. It builds on and goes beyond the existing knowledge on a wide range of topics related to the use, attitudes, pedagogy, and conceptualization of Englishes in the world. The strength of the book lies in the insightful discussions from multiple vantage points and unique critical perspectives.

-- Ryuko Kubota, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

This carefully selected volume of essays makes a valuable contribution to the study of the contemporary sociolinguistics of English and English teaching across cultures. It brings together multiple theoretical and methodological approaches underscoring the richness of its subject. In doing so, it offers an overview of some of the competing paradigms that guide research on English in multilingual settings, suggesting theoretical continuities in and methodological challenges to the field. The collection provides insight into teaching practitioners’ pedagogical engagement by illustrating their search for equity in the workplace, their linguistic self-representation in the field and classroom, and the preparation they gain in EIL in higher education institutions. The book provides much evidence of the interdisciplinarity of EIL research, particularly how various disciplines can offer new ways of understanding major processes within it such as English indigenization, cross-cultural communication, and language use. The volume is a very valuable resource for researchers and students in English studies, second language acquisition, and English language pedagogy.

-- Janina Brutt-Griffler, The State University of New York, Buf

ISBN: 9781847691224

Dimensions: 210mm x 148mm x 16mm

Weight: 398g

304 pages