The Challenges of Teaching Language and Literature in the Age of Globalisation
To work, a global skills movement will require keen attention to curriculum, teacher quality, and assessment.
The teaching of language and literature, it would be no exaggeration to say have changed beyond all recognition. Globalisation in terms of our world becoming a much smaller place has understandably brought great challenges for educationalists, these challenges must be seen in a positive light. Access to a world of language and writing can in my view only be seen as a great bonus for all of us involved in teaching.
Globalisation has had an immense impact on teaching English, I need not discuss the points connected with the spread of English worldwide, they are well know to everyone. The challenge comes in the form of cross cultural interpretation. Access to a wide range of languages under the umbrella of English has lead to what we now understand to be variants of English, Hinglish, Chinglish and so on, American English, Australian English. These forms of the language do not fall into a generally understood methodology as we see with standard English. This is not to say that they have no place in language teaching, they should not be ignored. In India the use of English is widespread, therefore it would be a mistake to attempt to teach only standard English.
Why?
The answer is that every language must be understood not only globally but also in the context of the host country. To a native English speaker, be they British, American or Australian someone speaking English as a second language will be understood. Being brought up and educated in an English speaking environment enables them to make calculated guesses regarding meaning, word usage, grammar irregularities and mispronunciations. However, the speaker of English as a second language will almost certainly have difficulty in understanding a speaker whose first language is standard English, simply because they have not had the experience needed to interpret the subtleties and nuances of the
The teaching of language and literature, it would be no exaggeration to say have changed beyond all recognition. Globalisation in terms of our world becoming a much smaller place has understandably brought great challenges for educationalists, these challenges must be seen in a positive light. Access to a world of language and writing can in my view only be seen as a great bonus for all of us involved in teaching.
Globalisation has had an immense impact on teaching English, I need not discuss the points connected with the spread of English worldwide, they are well know to everyone. The challenge comes in the form of cross cultural interpretation. Access to a wide range of languages under the umbrella of English has lead to what we now understand to be variants of English, Hinglish, Chinglish and so on, American English, Australian English. These forms of the language do not fall into a generally understood methodology as we see with standard English. This is not to say that they have no place in language teaching, they should not be ignored. In India the use of English is widespread, therefore it would be a mistake to attempt to teach only standard English.
Why?
The answer is that every language must be understood not only globally but also in the context of the host country. To a native English speaker, be they British, American or Australian someone speaking English as a second language will be understood. Being brought up and educated in an English speaking environment enables them to make calculated guesses regarding meaning, word usage, grammar irregularities and mispronunciations. However, the speaker of English as a second language will almost certainly have difficulty in understanding a speaker whose first language is standard English, simply because they have not had the experience needed to interpret the subtleties and nuances of the