Whose English Is It

From APEC HRDWG Wiki

Several international organizations, including APEC, rely on English when it comes to board meetings, conference calls, email, memos, and the like. Because of this, we have to recognize the differences in the Englishes spoken around the world: Are American and British varieties the only ones that are considered standard? It is important to look at other globalEnglishes in the Business English classroom. A curriculum should reflect these varieties of English.

The curriculum changes I propose are based on a belief that using English for international communication requires awareness of the current spread of English and of variety in forms, functions and users of the language, and that simply conforming to Inner Circle norms is not only inappropriate but also inadequate. This approach goes beyond the traditional linguistic and cultural focus of most ELT curricula (Matsuda, 2005).

Below are some ideas to help a class discuss English and how it is the current “language of choice.”

Content Objectives

• To discuss current trends in English use around the world
• To analyze the layers of English presented in Language Circles

Language Objectives

• To respond to accents while listening to different online recordings
• To develop strategies in comprehending English spoken with challenging accents

Tips

• Listening to accents: It is easy to find recordings of speakers with global English accents on YouTube or English Listening Lesson Library Online, ELLLO. When visiting ELLLO, use their advanced search and type in a country with a global English accent. You will get a list of recordings using that accent.
  

• Language lunch: Have an “English Only” lunch. Once seated at the table, speak only English to each other.
  

• Discussion topics:
  • Rise of English: How English became a global language and what other languages might be on the rise?
    
  • Fairness: Is it fair that native speakers of English get an unfair advantage when international meetings are presented in English?
    
  • Communication Competence: Should second language learners focus on form or competency?
    
  • Language Circles: Inner Circle (the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.), Outer Circle (Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, etc.), Expanding Circle (Japan, Korea, Viet Nam, etc.)
    
  • Strategies: How might students respond to an accent they find difficult to understand?
    

• School visits: Visit another school in your neighborhood that also has English classes. Talk with those students about learning English and how it is affecting their lives.

Materials

A computer with Internet access, if you are using You Tube or English Language Listening Lesson Library Online.

Category

Multilingualism and Language Skills: Global English, Language Circles, accents, grammar 

Learning Theme

Learning to live; working together

Resource

Matsuda, A. (2005). Preparing future users of English as an international language. In A. Burns (Ed.), Teaching English from a global perspective (pp. 63–72). Alexandria, VA: Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. (TESOL).

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 Also see Business in the 21st Century