This paper attempts to explore how English-language learners experience and make sense of the social, cultural, and political ramifications of the global dominance and spread of English. Through focus group interviews with 30 university and college students in Taiwan, the findings suggest that most participants were aware of the issues surrounding English in the world and in Taiwan. Yet, rather than taking into account the power relations and ideological struggles that underlie the English-language, most of the participants took for granted the power of English, and were eager to become a part of the privilege. A questioning stance was not a mentality shared by the majority of the participants. For the minority group, resistance mainly involved a concern for the preservation of the official language and the culture it reflects. Participants were less aware of the sociopolitical consequences of English and its learning. The results not only offer implications for critical pedagogy in ELT, but also point to the need for a reconstitution of critical pedagogy practices that is situated in each local context and a shift away from a western-centered paradigm to an Asian-centered lens from which to view English-language teaching and learning.
목차
ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Languages in Taiwan LITERATURE REVIEW Linguistic Imperialism of English The Effects of Globalization METHODOLOGY Data Sources Participants Data Analysis FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION Power and Benefit of English English as the Superior Other English as Development and Representation Resistance IMPLICATIONS FOR CRITICAL PEDAGOGY CONCLUSION THE AUTHOR REFERENCES
The goals of Asia TEFL are to promote scholarship, disseminate information, and facilitate cross-cultural understanding among persons concerned with the teaching and learning of English in Asia. In order to accomplish this, Asia TEFL will pursue the following goals:
1. To link ELT professionals in joint research on issues and concerns regarding English teaching and learning in the Asian context.
2. To publish an academic journal, The Asia TEFL Journal, as an internationally recognized journal in the field of English language teaching.
3. To host conferences and seminars addressing important issues concerning ELT in Asia.
4. To develop proficiency guidelines and assessment methods designed for the needs of the Asian context.
5. To develop programs for Asian learners and teachers of English to build their English language proficiency and cultural understanding and provide them with the skills required to be efficient English teaching professionals.