motion for english debate
TRANSCRIPT
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English as a global language inthe Asia-Pacific region
David Nunan
The English CentreUniversity of Hong Kong
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Overview
Background: The emergence of
English as a global language The Asia-Pacific Study
Results and implications
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English in an era of globalization
English as the dominant medium of
communication around the world.
The language of business, technology, science,
the Internet, popular entertainment and sports.
In academia over 50% of all research is published
in English. (In some science fields virtually all
studies are published in English.)
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The growth of English
The flexibility and adaptability of English
Example: English is about to acquire its
millionth word(Global Language Monitor)
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The Database
A descriptive and interpretive account of the place
of English within the educational systems of a
range of countries in the Asia-Pacific Region.
An ethnographic study of 200 companies in HongKong
A survey of 25,000 employees of global
corporations
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Research questions: general
1. Has the emergence of English as a global languageinfluenced language planning and policy-making? If so, in
what ways has this influence manifested itself?2. What are the principles underpinning the English
language curriculum and how are they manifested inpractice?
3. What is the impact of English as a global language on
educational practices and medium of instruction?4. What are the costs and benefits, in terms of time, money
and effort, of teaching English as a foreign language?
5. Has the introduction of English had an impact, or is itlikely to have an impact in the future, on first language /
indigenous language development?
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Research questions: specific
1. At what age and grade level is Englishintroduced as a compulsory subject?
2. How many hours per week and weeks peryear is English taught for each grade level?
3. What plans, if any are there to lower the
age at which English is introduced as acompulsory subject?
4. To what extent is English used as a mediumof instruction for other subjects?
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The data
Documentary analysis
Questionnaire
Interviews
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Results
Rapid growth in the demand for English inthe workplace
Example: Over an 18 month period thenumber of respondents who said Englishwas critical for their jobs rose from 50% to80%. Only 9% said that their English was
sufficient to do their job.
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Results
Explosion in general demand for English.
Example: In China, estimated 600, 000 new
enrolments in private conversation schoolsevery four to six months.
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Results
A downward shift in the age atwhich English is introduced as a
compulsory subject.In all countries surveyed, English
has become compulsory at the
elementary level.
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Results
Inequitable access to quality English
educationExample: In Korea, up to 30% of
household income is spent on private
tutoring
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Results
The professionalization /
deprofessionalization paradox
Example: Lack of training and low levels ofproficiency on the part of English teachers
Decline in the percentage of qualified.
English teachers in public schools in places
such as Hong Kong.
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Results
The commodification of English
Example: The English on demand voucher
system in Japan
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Results
A move towards content area instruction in
secondary and tertiary education
Example: In some Chinese universities, up to30% of content instruction is supposed to be
delivered in English
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Results
The hidden cost of poor English
Example: In some multinational firms, senior
managers spend up to 15 hours a weekredrafting junior colleagues written English.
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Results
Persistence of traditional modes of
instruction
Example: In all countries investigated, therewas a major mismatch between official
policy and classroom practice.
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Looking ahead
A bipolar distribution of language learners/users.
Persistence of the younger = better myth
L1 maintenance
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A final word from learners
"For me, learning English is like a bath - you
have to soak in it a long time.
"When I was a kid, I didn't know it wasEngland's language. I thought the world only
had two languages - English and Chinese.
"In secondary school, we had many exams,
and I became afraid of English. It was like
floods and beasts."
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A final word from learners
"My favorite teacher taught us to speak. Hedidn't emphasize grammar. The otherteachers thought he was lazy, but I thought
it was a really good way to learn English.""I went to English camp in China. We were
supposed to speak English all the time. I got
caught speaking Chinese and had to worklike a slave to clean the toilets. This reallyimproved my English."
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Where to find out more
Nunan, D. 2002. The role of language and culture within theaccountancy workplace In C. Barron, N. Bruce and D.Nunan (Eds.) Knowledge and Discourse: Towards andEcology of Language. London: Longman/Pearson.
Nunan, D. 2003. The impact of English as a global languageon educational policies and practices in the Asia-Pacificregion. TESOL Quarterly, 37, 4, 2003, 589 613.
Nunan, D. 2005. The Evolution of Technology and Value ofOnline English Language Learning. While paper. SanFrancisco: GlobalEnglish.