Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

To introduce the students to critical issues surrounding the global spread and character of English as a ‘lingua franca’
To consider the cross-cultural implications of this state of affairs
To critically assess the consequences of the English language’s global status for international communication
To critically assess the consequences of the English language’s global status for applied linguistics and TESOL

This module examines the current ‘lingua franca’ status of the English language. The implications of this status are wide-ranging as it causes major changes in the way in which the language is used, taught, learned, conceptualised and assessed. As non-native speakers now outnumber native speakers of English by a ratio of 3:1, native speakers can no longer unproblematically lay claim to sociolinguistic and cultural acceptability and normativity. What will this mean for international communication in general? How will it feed into current issues in cross-cultural communication and applied linguistics? With norms and standards in a state of flux, what kinds of 'Englishes' are emerging and what will this mean for our understanding of ‘English’? These questions, and others, will be covered in this module.

Outline Of Syllabus

1. Introduction to English in the World
2. The history of English and the global spread of English
3. WE, ELF, EIL and English Language Teaching
4. English in Media around the world
5. Attitude to English(es)
6. English language policy around the world
7. English in international workplaces
8. Current Trends in the English in the World Research
9. Summary of English in the World
10. Review: What’s ‘your’ purpose(s)? A short presentation of your ideas-in-progress
11. Drop-in session

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

-to critically assess the theoretical and methodological implications of EIL and ELF
-to understand how notions of language status relate to real-world issues in communication and teaching
-to understand how ‘standards’ in language use are created, challenged, opposed and debated within the media and research literature

Intended Skill Outcomes

-critical thinking
-critical reading and evaluation
-articulation and theory development
-identifying issues of interdisciplinary character
-applying theory to praxis

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures provide an introduction to the weekly content, establish a basic level of understanding of the topic, provide opportunities for discussion and personal reflections, and signal areas for individual further study and essential and further reading. Group activities are often linked to pre-class weekly reading

Structured Guided Learning activities provide students with weekly opportunities to consolidate learning through guided tasks linked to the weekly topic.

Independent study will enable wider reading, further personal self-reflection and assignment preparation

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assignment will enable students to demonstrate sophisticated and critical understanding of one or a combination of issues connected to the status of English as the world’s ‘lingua franca’.

General Notes

Original Handbook text:
This module examines the current ‘lingua franca’ status of the English language. The implications of this status are wide-ranging and creating major changes in the way in which the language is used, taught, learned, conceptualised and assessed. As non-native speakers now outnumber native speakers of English by a ratio of 3:1, we face a scenario where native speakers no longer unproblematically lay claim to sociolinguistic and cultural acceptability and normativity. What will this mean for international communication in general? How will such a state of affairs feed into current issues in cross-cultural communication and applied linguistics? With norms and standards in a state of flux, what kinds of Englishes are emerging and what will this mean for our understanding of ‘English’? These questions, and others, will be covered in this module.