English as an International Language

Farzad Sharifian is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Language and Society Centre within the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, Monash University, Australia. He is also the Convenor of the academic program of English as an International Language at Monash University. He has a wide range of research interests including cultural linguistics, pragmatics, English as an International Language, World Englishes, language and politics, and intercultural communication. He is the editor (with Gary B. Palmer) of Applied Cultural Linguistics (2007, John Benjamins) and the editor (with René Dirven, Ning Yu and Susanne Niemeier) of Culture, Body and Language (2008, Mouton de Gruyter). He has published numerous articles in many international journals.

Farzad Sharifian is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Language and Society Centre within the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, Monash University, Australia. He is also the Convenor of the academic program of English as an International Language at Monash University. He has a wide range of research interests including cultural linguistics, pragmatics, English as an International Language, World Englishes, language and politics, and intercultural communication. He is the editor (with Gary B. Palmer) of Applied Cultural Linguistics (2007, John Benjamins) and the editor (with René Dirven, Ning Yu and Susanne Niemeier) of Culture, Body and Language (2008, Mouton de Gruyter). He has published numerous articles in many international journals.

This carefully selected volume of essays makes a valuable contribution to the study of the contemporary sociolinguistics of English and English teaching across cultures. It brings together multiple theoretical and methodological approaches underscoring the richness of its subject. In doing so, it offers an overview of some of the competing paradigms that guide research on English in multilingual settings, suggesting theoretical continuities in and methodological challenges to the field. The collection provides insight into teaching practitioners’ pedagogical engagement by illustrating their search for equity in the workplace, their linguistic self-representation in the field and classroom, and the preparation they gain in EIL in higher education institutions. The book provides much evidence of the interdisciplinarity of EIL research, particularly how various disciplines can offer new ways of understanding major processes within it such as English indigenization, cross-cultural communication, and language use. The volume is a very valuable resource for researchers and students in English studies, second language acquisition, and English language pedagogy.

Ryuko Kubota, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill:

The volume English as an International Language presents an inspired inquiry into the multifaceted role of Englishes for global communication. It builds on and goes beyond the existing knowledge on a wide range of topics related to the use, attitudes, pedagogy, and conceptualization of Englishes in the world. The strength of the book lies in the insightful discussions from multiple vantage points and unique critical perspectives.

Carmen Luján García, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, English World-Wide:

This praiseworthy and useful volume is highly commendable not only for linguists but also for English language practitioners. It provides a step forward in this new and vibrant field of research.