Research from populations around the world on attitudes to varieties of English is essential in order to have a better understanding of how the complexities of globalization play a role in the form of English as a world language. To that end, university students in China were asked to name countries around the world where they believe English is…

In the new European higher education space, Universities in Europe are exhorted to cultivate and develop multilingualism. The European Commission's 2004-2006 action plan for promoting language learning and diversity speaks of the need to build an environment which is favourable to languages. Yet reality indicates that it is English which reigns…

This paper examines the role of English in relation to Norwegian in the higher education and research sector in Norway. English has gained influence in this sector at the expense of Norwegian, something which is described as a "domain loss." Two main questions are asked: (1) Can domain loss be explained as a consequence of the linguistic…

Reports and interprets the results of a survey of international graduate students' attitudes toward English. The functions and varieties of English are considered and the worldwide role of English is discussed. Research suggests that students lack awareness of issues such as nativization of English. (Author/JL)

Addresses the issue of English in South America through the investigation of attitudes toward English by a group of MBA students in Argentina. A survey questionnaire was administered and its analysis and the relationship between attitudes and the sociopolitical environment are explored. Concludes with a cal for more conscientious inclusion of…

Provides an overview of the position of English on the island of Mauritius, where the dominant language of the home is a French-based Creole but the language of government and schooling is English. Also discusses English instruction on Mauritius, noting that language instruction on the island has been traditionally structuralist rather than…

Reviews the early history of the English language in Japan, from its introduction in the early 17th century through the 20th century, focusing on the role of English in regard to education, nationalism, and modernization. Also discussed is the current status of English instruction in Japan. (16 references) (MDM)

Identifies the primary reasons why a world Englishes perspective should be infused into the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) preparatory curriculum and discusses the status of current research in world English. Also provided is a 10-item bibliography of resources for teacher educators who wish to build such a perspective…

Argues for a redefinition of terms and reconsideration of methodology in research on language attitudes, suggesting that mentalistic definitions of attitudes be replaced with social ones and experimentation using the matched-guise technique be replaced by discourse-analytic research. A qualitative study on Finnish college student attitudes toward…

Reviews the history of the English language in Egypt and examines the forms and functions of English use in contemporary Egypt. (Author/VWL)

Provides an overview of the different types of books about the use of English published in Japan and discusses some of the controversies about the role of English in Japan. New directions in the use of English are described that are reflected in new courses in the school system and in publications aimed at English-speaking Japanese. (56…

Describes factors influencing growth in demand for English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction in German higher education since 1989, and describes how Dresden University has designed a curriculum to meet the need. The Dresden program includes courses in generic scientific English required in a number of disciplines, elective English courses…

Suggests that the variety of English spoken in Brunei (BNE), sometimes called nonstandard, is still at an early stage of development and there is little awareness among its speakers of some differences from standard English (STE). Results of a grammaticality judgment test administered to 106 university students, designed to find nonstandard verb…