motion for english debate

7/29/2019 Motion for English Debate

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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.

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