This report is the product of a research collaboration between Education Development Trust, the B... more This report is the product of a research collaboration between Education Development Trust, the British Council and The Open University. Its starting point was to consider the complex field of English Medium Instruction (EMI) policies in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Its purpose is to provide insight and support to those responsible for setting policy or enacting it in complex language environments around the world. The work recognises the importance given to English language by governments in the future development of intellectual and economic capital, and to accessing opportunity in an increasingly global world. It also recognises and respects the strong argument calling for education and learning to be conducted in a language spoken by learners and teachers. Navigating these two influences can appear impossible at times as they can be unhelpfully positioned as opposites. This research study set out to do two things: • Look at the global literature and draw on the lesso...
The high status of English within a global economy of languages has meant that English-language e... more The high status of English within a global economy of languages has meant that English-language education is increasingly being promoted in international development initiatives. This is despite the fact that it may seem more valuable for the estimated 1.4 billion people ...
Drawing on research analysing perceptions of English in rural Bangladesh, the paper explores the ... more Drawing on research analysing perceptions of English in rural Bangladesh, the paper explores the ideological and practical issues involved in the promotion of English in this context, with respect to the language’s former and current associations with colonial and imperialist agendas, and the politico-cultural situation of present-day Bangladeshi society. The analysis – which is underpinned by a blending of world Englishes and postcolonial theory – reveals how dominant discourses of English as a language of global opportunity persist in these rural communities, despite the limited opportunities for using the language or developing proficiency in it. By representing these ‘subaltern’ views on English in what is an under-researched context, the paper offers critical insights into the impact of English-language education on rural Bangladeshis’ social prospects, communities and cultural identities.
Erling, Elizabeth J. and Hilgendorf, Suzanne K. (2006). English at the German University: A means... more Erling, Elizabeth J. and Hilgendorf, Suzanne K. (2006). English at the German University: A means of disadvantage or empowerment? In: Weideman, A. and Smieja, B. eds. Empowerment through Language and Education. Duisburg Papers on Research in Language and Culture (65). ...
Routledge Handbook of Language and Identity. Edited by Siân Preece.
This chapter is concerned with ethics in language and identity research, an increasingly central ... more This chapter is concerned with ethics in language and identity research, an increasingly central concept in applied linguistics. It poses the intriguing question of whether humanity in general has become more ethical, and reaches the verdict that the increased concern with ethics is related to societal and epistemological changes. The chapter reviews key literature in the area, including the ethical guidelines of the British Association for Applied Linguistics. It then reports on a case study of a research project which explore attitudes to English language learning in rural Bangladesh, a project that posed many ethical challenges, exacerbated by its translational nature and power asymmetries between team members. The key point of the chapter is to advocate for “ethical literacy” (Wiles and Boddy 2013) as a way for researchers to be constantly vigilant and able to respond appropriately to unforeseen ethical issues that arise in each specific research context. This approach goes far ...
Migration has become a vital element of the Bangladeshi economy, which has led to an increasing f... more Migration has become a vital element of the Bangladeshi economy, which has led to an increasing focus on providing Bangladeshis with the skills needed on the international labour market. English is often cited as one of these skills, and previous research has shown that a primary reason why Bangladeshis wish to learn English is due to its perceived value for pursuing work abroad (Erling, Elizabeth J., Philip Seargeant, Mike Solly, Qumrul H Chowdhury, & Sayeedur Rahman. 2012. Attitudes to English as a language for international development in rural Bangladesh. London: British Council. Available online at http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/publications/attitudes-english-a-language-international-development-rural-bangladesh.). The extent to which English is of value in economic migration, however, has been underexplored in research (Coleman, Hywel. 2010. The English language in development. London: British Council. Available at http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/publications/english-lang...
This article investigates the language skills and the nature of language provision required by ec... more This article investigates the language skills and the nature of language provision required by economic migrants from Bangladesh working in the Middle East. It focuses in particular on the perceived values of the host country language (Arabic) versus English as a language franca (ELF). While there have been a number of explorations of the value of learning the host country language for migrants in terms of both labour market outcomes and wellbeing, there is a paucity of, and pressing need for, studies investigating the value of ELF for economic migrants, particularly those from developing country contexts. This article presents the findings from an ethnographic study which explores the experiences, perceptions and specific language-related issues of a diverse cohort of returnee migrants from rural Bangladesh where, despite significant migration from the area, little is known about this population’s language use and communicative needs. Our findings suggest that both the host country...
English in Japan in the Era of Globalization, 2011
Breckenridge, Y. and E.J. Erling (2011) ‘The native speaker English teacher and the politics of g... more Breckenridge, Y. and E.J. Erling (2011) ‘The native speaker English teacher and the politics of globalization in Japan.’ In P. Seargeant (Ed). English in Japan in the Era of Globalization. Basingstoke: Palgrave, 80-100.
This paper reports on a rigorous literature review of research into medium of instruction in Ghan... more This paper reports on a rigorous literature review of research into medium of instruction in Ghana and India, whose language-in-education policies represent two contrasting models of use of local languages and the development of competence in English. The paper begins by briefly overviewing the language-in-education policy in these two countries and sets out the methodological approach underpinning this review. It then turns to the initial findings, which are discussed in two parts: the first categorises the three areas of research explored in the empirical studies reviewed, namely the effectiveness of language-in-education policies, problems hindering the implementation of these policies, and attitudes to these policies. The second provides an overview of the recommendations for how, given the obstacles in implementing the current policies, to better ensure the effectiveness of language-in-education policies in Ghana and India. Together these findings show that similar issues arise that contribute to challenges of providing equitable, quality education, and similar recommendations have been put forward as a result. This paper thus provides a valuable overview of key issues in the role of language-in-education policies in improving equity and quality in education in LMICs.
We illustrate the social and transnational nature of blogging with the example of dog blogs writt... more We illustrate the social and transnational nature of blogging with the example of dog blogs written in English by Finns and Germans. The use of English functions to display a dog (lover) identity and life style which is both local and global. It establishes an interactive and multi -modal ...
This report is the product of a research collaboration between Education Development Trust, the B... more This report is the product of a research collaboration between Education Development Trust, the British Council and The Open University. Its starting point was to consider the complex field of English Medium Instruction (EMI) policies in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Its purpose is to provide insight and support to those responsible for setting policy or enacting it in complex language environments around the world. The work recognises the importance given to English language by governments in the future development of intellectual and economic capital, and to accessing opportunity in an increasingly global world. It also recognises and respects the strong argument calling for education and learning to be conducted in a language spoken by learners and teachers. Navigating these two influences can appear impossible at times as they can be unhelpfully positioned as opposites. This research study set out to do two things: • Look at the global literature and draw on the lesso...
The high status of English within a global economy of languages has meant that English-language e... more The high status of English within a global economy of languages has meant that English-language education is increasingly being promoted in international development initiatives. This is despite the fact that it may seem more valuable for the estimated 1.4 billion people ...
Drawing on research analysing perceptions of English in rural Bangladesh, the paper explores the ... more Drawing on research analysing perceptions of English in rural Bangladesh, the paper explores the ideological and practical issues involved in the promotion of English in this context, with respect to the language’s former and current associations with colonial and imperialist agendas, and the politico-cultural situation of present-day Bangladeshi society. The analysis – which is underpinned by a blending of world Englishes and postcolonial theory – reveals how dominant discourses of English as a language of global opportunity persist in these rural communities, despite the limited opportunities for using the language or developing proficiency in it. By representing these ‘subaltern’ views on English in what is an under-researched context, the paper offers critical insights into the impact of English-language education on rural Bangladeshis’ social prospects, communities and cultural identities.
Erling, Elizabeth J. and Hilgendorf, Suzanne K. (2006). English at the German University: A means... more Erling, Elizabeth J. and Hilgendorf, Suzanne K. (2006). English at the German University: A means of disadvantage or empowerment? In: Weideman, A. and Smieja, B. eds. Empowerment through Language and Education. Duisburg Papers on Research in Language and Culture (65). ...
Routledge Handbook of Language and Identity. Edited by Siân Preece.
This chapter is concerned with ethics in language and identity research, an increasingly central ... more This chapter is concerned with ethics in language and identity research, an increasingly central concept in applied linguistics. It poses the intriguing question of whether humanity in general has become more ethical, and reaches the verdict that the increased concern with ethics is related to societal and epistemological changes. The chapter reviews key literature in the area, including the ethical guidelines of the British Association for Applied Linguistics. It then reports on a case study of a research project which explore attitudes to English language learning in rural Bangladesh, a project that posed many ethical challenges, exacerbated by its translational nature and power asymmetries between team members. The key point of the chapter is to advocate for “ethical literacy” (Wiles and Boddy 2013) as a way for researchers to be constantly vigilant and able to respond appropriately to unforeseen ethical issues that arise in each specific research context. This approach goes far ...
Migration has become a vital element of the Bangladeshi economy, which has led to an increasing f... more Migration has become a vital element of the Bangladeshi economy, which has led to an increasing focus on providing Bangladeshis with the skills needed on the international labour market. English is often cited as one of these skills, and previous research has shown that a primary reason why Bangladeshis wish to learn English is due to its perceived value for pursuing work abroad (Erling, Elizabeth J., Philip Seargeant, Mike Solly, Qumrul H Chowdhury, & Sayeedur Rahman. 2012. Attitudes to English as a language for international development in rural Bangladesh. London: British Council. Available online at http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/publications/attitudes-english-a-language-international-development-rural-bangladesh.). The extent to which English is of value in economic migration, however, has been underexplored in research (Coleman, Hywel. 2010. The English language in development. London: British Council. Available at http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/publications/english-lang...
This article investigates the language skills and the nature of language provision required by ec... more This article investigates the language skills and the nature of language provision required by economic migrants from Bangladesh working in the Middle East. It focuses in particular on the perceived values of the host country language (Arabic) versus English as a language franca (ELF). While there have been a number of explorations of the value of learning the host country language for migrants in terms of both labour market outcomes and wellbeing, there is a paucity of, and pressing need for, studies investigating the value of ELF for economic migrants, particularly those from developing country contexts. This article presents the findings from an ethnographic study which explores the experiences, perceptions and specific language-related issues of a diverse cohort of returnee migrants from rural Bangladesh where, despite significant migration from the area, little is known about this population’s language use and communicative needs. Our findings suggest that both the host country...
English in Japan in the Era of Globalization, 2011
Breckenridge, Y. and E.J. Erling (2011) ‘The native speaker English teacher and the politics of g... more Breckenridge, Y. and E.J. Erling (2011) ‘The native speaker English teacher and the politics of globalization in Japan.’ In P. Seargeant (Ed). English in Japan in the Era of Globalization. Basingstoke: Palgrave, 80-100.
This paper reports on a rigorous literature review of research into medium of instruction in Ghan... more This paper reports on a rigorous literature review of research into medium of instruction in Ghana and India, whose language-in-education policies represent two contrasting models of use of local languages and the development of competence in English. The paper begins by briefly overviewing the language-in-education policy in these two countries and sets out the methodological approach underpinning this review. It then turns to the initial findings, which are discussed in two parts: the first categorises the three areas of research explored in the empirical studies reviewed, namely the effectiveness of language-in-education policies, problems hindering the implementation of these policies, and attitudes to these policies. The second provides an overview of the recommendations for how, given the obstacles in implementing the current policies, to better ensure the effectiveness of language-in-education policies in Ghana and India. Together these findings show that similar issues arise that contribute to challenges of providing equitable, quality education, and similar recommendations have been put forward as a result. This paper thus provides a valuable overview of key issues in the role of language-in-education policies in improving equity and quality in education in LMICs.
We illustrate the social and transnational nature of blogging with the example of dog blogs writt... more We illustrate the social and transnational nature of blogging with the example of dog blogs written in English by Finns and Germans. The use of English functions to display a dog (lover) identity and life style which is both local and global. It establishes an interactive and multi -modal ...
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