The promise and pitfalls of global English

Abstract

Abstract In this chapter, I explore the purported and actual effects of global English in contexts in which it is often seen as a way of enhancing socioeconomic mobility. While some studies suggest that proficiency in English in countries where it is not an official or dominant language may correlate with higher wages, many other studies demonstrate that English-medium instruction in these countries is detrimental to academic achievement and the attainment of a high level of literacy in any language. The chapter also explores the concepts “English as a Lingua Franca” (ELF) and “Lingua Franca English” (LFE) and critically examines claims that there is, or could be, a “neutral” variety of English for global communication, one that requires a change in current views on the nature of language itself.

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