English language in education and globalization: a comparative analysis of the role of English in Pakistan and China

ABSTRACT

This paper explores language ideology, policies and the role of English in Pakistan and China, two countries in which English plays different roles in education. Owing to globalization and communication development, the role of the English language is changing; thus, there is need to change the policies and ideologies surrounding English instruction, particularly when English functions as a lingua franca. In Pakistan, the role of the English language is linked with language ideology due to the country’s British colonial background. The society is still divided on the role of English and the colonial mindset persists in language ideology and instructional practices. By contrast, English is taught as a foreign language in China because it is not a postcolonial language. While the English language fulfils people’s different communication needs, there is a concern that people might lose their own identity if English is viewed as more important than their own mother tongue. Therefore, this paper summarizes how the debate related to English language teaching is linked to various language ideologies. Finally, this paper argues for the importance of viewing English language teaching through a multilingual perspective, and contextualizing language policies to readdress learners’ different needs and goals of English learning.

KEYWORDS:

• English as a lingua franca
• English language teaching
• identity
• language ideology
• multilingualism

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Discipline Co-construction Project of Philosophy and Social Science of Guangdong Province [Grant Number GD17XWW07]; Shantou University Center for Religion and Culture Studies, College of Liberal Arts [STURCS-201820].

Notes on contributors

Sham Haidar

Sham Haidar was born in Buner Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. He completed doctoral studies from Warner School of Education, University of Rochester. He is currently serving as assistant professor in the Department of Humanities, Air University Islamabad, Pakistan. His research interests lie in sociolinguistics, equity in education, language and power, language ideology, English and globalization, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and critical discourse analysis. He has published articles in journals including International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, English Today and Issues in Political Discourse Analysis.

Fan (Gabriel) Fang

Fan (Gabriel) Fang obtained his PhD from the Centre for Global Englishes, the University of Southampton, UK. He is currently associate professor of applied linguistics at the College of Liberal Arts, Shantou University, China. His research interests include Global Englishes, language attitude and identity, intercultural communication and ELT. His recent publications include articles in Asian Englishes, ELT Journal, English Today, Language Teaching Research, System, The Journal of Asia TEFL and The Asian Journal of Applied Linguistics.