By Dirk Cornelis Lourens
Research Questions
To what extent is English becoming the lingua franca of the modern world? Which version of English should be accepted and taught in TEFL classrooms?
Introduction
English as a lingua franca basically means communication in English between speakers with different first languages Seidlhofer (2005) describes this term as English as a lingua franca (ELF) Firth (1996) states that it is a contact language between persons who share neither a common native tongue nor a common (national) culture, and for whom English is the chosen foreign language of communication.
Newsweek Magazine Statistics
The ratio of non-native to native English speakers in the world is 3:1
In Asia alone, in 2005, there were 350 million English users More than double the number of Mainland Chinese students are studying English than in Britain. There are more non-native teachers of English than native teachers For the sake of clarity: Non-native speakers use English as a second language (L2); Native speakers use it as a first language (L1)
English as a killer language?
English is definitely becoming the lingua franca of the modern world Is this at the expense of other languages? Mufwene (1994) states that English will not become a unilanguage, a killer language, the only lingua franca of the world It could actually help some L2 languages become stronger in the face of competition from English Blommaert (2010) adds that English is adapting to local varieties, norms, habits and cultures
Seidlhofer (2005) states that English is a lingua franca, but that it is being shaped by L2 users
An interesting example is mentioned by her: often nonnative English speakers will not use the third person singular present tense s marking in verbs, but that it does not lead to confusion or misunderstandings This is an indication that English could be adapted and changed, and is a growing language. Why not do away with the s marking in verbs altogether? Jenkins (2002) writes that native speakers should not pass judgment, but should embrace linguistic and cultural diversity of non-native English speakers
Conflicting literature
Jenkins (2002) states that diversity of English accents and pronunciations in a lingua franca context is possible, and that non-native speakers should not blindly follow General American or British RP models However, in Taiwan, Henderson (2008)found that many teachers and students in Taiwan are opposed to the idea of being taught a non-native variety of English. They set high expectations for themselves and try to attain a near native like English ability
I-Chung Ke (2009) also found that in Taiwan, most of the subjects saw accent as a resource, especially a standard American accent
They did not want a Taiwanese English accent Henderson (2008) points out that most of the subjects had a preference for American products and felt inferior and submissive towards Americans He suggests that, to change this, there should be more global English materials available in Taiwan, not only American or British Also, once L2 speakers speak English to each other, the feelings of inferiority disappears
Implications for TEFL Teachers
More research needs to be done by teachers and researchers alike Teachers could do action research projects pertaining to the situations in their respective classrooms Teachers should study current research papers and design programs that fit their individual situations and students Teachers should acknowledge different varieties, dialects and pronunciations of English, and not frown upon them Teachers should not insist that theirs is the only correct accent or pronunciation
Implications (continued)
Needs analyses should be done to ascertain what students
want Teachers should not assume and then proceed to teach Communication is of utmost importance Do not force a specific accent or pronunciation on your students, e.g. I speak RP, so you should listen to me! Teachers should educate themselves constantly by reading, studying, or researching Teachers should realize that there are cultures other than their own, and integrate that in lessons
Conclusion
Non-native speakers are not only consumers of English, they are also helping it to grow They are actively shaping it to fit their own culture and needs If English is to remain a lingua franca of the modern world, and not go out the same way as Latin did, then it should be allowed to change, adapt and grow Teachers, do not fight change. Go with the flow!
References
Blommaert, J. (2010). The sociolinguistics of globalization. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Firth, A. (1996). The discursive accomplishment of normality: On lingua franca English and conversation analysis, Journal of Pragmatics 26, 237-259. Retrieved on December 2, 2011 from http://eltj.oxfordjournals.org/ Henderson, A. (2008, March). Towards intelligibility: Designing short pronunciation courses for advanced field experts. Paper presented at GERAS conference, Orleans, France. Hobson, N. (2005). The globalization of English, Newsweek Magazine, March 7. Retrieved on November 25, 2011 from http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2005/03/06/not-thequeen-s-english.html
Jenkins, J. (2002). A sociolinguistically based, empirically researched pronunciation syllabus for English as an International language, Applied Linguistics 23, 1. Retrieved on November 25, 2011 from http://asp.revues.org/369 Ke, I-Chung. (2009). Global English and world culture: A study of Taiwanese university students worldviews and conceptions of English, English as an International Language 5. Retrieved on November 25, 2011 from http://www.eilj.com Mufwene, S. (1994). New Englishes and criteria for naming them, World Englishes 13, 21- 31. Retrieved on November 25, 2011 from http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=La5xpX2TwekC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage& q&f=false Seidlhofer, B. (2005). English as a lingua franca, ELT Journal 59, 4. Retrieved on December 2, 2011 from http://eltj.oxfordjournals.org/content/59/4/339.full.pdf
