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Module

ALC8009 : English in the World

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Navaporn Snodin
  • Owning School: Education, Communication & Language Sci
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

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

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion150:0050:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture102:0020:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading130:0030:00N/A
Structured Guided LearningStructured research and reading activities72:0014:00N/A
Structured Guided LearningStructured non-synchronous discussion61:006:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery12:002:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study178:0078:00N/A
Total200:00
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 Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay2M100Written assignment - about 3,500 words
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’.

Reading Lists

Timetable