English and Development

This book investigates the relationship between English and personal and national development, as this is both discursively promoted (particularly through language policy) and practically realized in developing societies. It addresses the effects that the increased use of English and the promotion of English-language education are having in developmental contexts, and their impact on broader educational issues, on local language ecologies and on questions of cultural identity. It investigates these issues by drawing together a series of original examinations and case studies by a range of leading scholars working in this burgeoning field. The chapters focus on a variety of contexts from around the world, and the volume as a whole surveys and critiques the positioning and influence of English as a catalyst for development in the 21st century.

Introduction – English and development in a global world: Philip Seargeant and Elizabeth J. Erling

Chapter 1 – English, development and education: Charting the tensions: Gibson Ferguson

Chapter 2 – The political economy of English language and development: English vs. national and local languages in developing countries: Naz Rassool

Chapter 3 – Political perspectives on language policies and development in Africa: Eddie Williams

Chapter 4 – Grassroots attitudes to English as a language for international development in Bangladesh: Elizabeth J. Erling, M. Obaidul Hamid and Philip Seargeant

Chapter 5 – The relationship between English-medium instruction and examining and social and economic development: A Sub-Saharan case study: Pauline Rea-Dickins, Zuleikha Kombo Khamis and Federica Olivero

Chapter 6 – Proficiency in English as a key to development? Helping teachers to help learners to succeed: Martin Wedell

Chapter 7 – An invitation to the feast: Voice and choice in English as a lingua franca: Tom Bartlett

Chapter 8 – HIV/AIDS education, digital literacy, and English language learning in Uganda: Bonny Norton, Shelley Jones and Daniel Ahimbisibwe

Chapter 9 – Language policy in Singapore: Singlish, national development and globalization: Lionel Wee

Chapter 10 – English, scientific publishing and participation in the global knowledge economy: Theresa Lillis and Mary Jane Curry

Chapter 11 – Language in economic development: Is English special and is linguistic fragmentation bad?: Jean-Louis Arcand and François Grin