Linguistic Unity and Cultural Diversity in Europe: Implications for Research on English Language and Learning

Soler, Eva Alcón

doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-5639-0_2

Cited by 17 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…However, the simultaneous rise of English as the lingua franca in Europe and its increasing presence in all European institutions, including the educational systems (Phillipson, ; Seidlhofer, Breiteneder, & Pitzl, ; Truchot, ), may pose a challenge to promoting plurilingualism. There is reason to be concerned that the dominance of English could make Europeans lose interest in learning other languages if it is judged to be an unnecessary, even futile exercise (e.g., Phillipson, ; Soler, ). The effects of English language dominance on language learning have been critically discussed by various authors (e.g., Crystal, ; Skutnabb–Kangas, ).…”

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confidence: 99%

Plurilingualism in Europe: Exploring Attitudes Toward English and Other European Languages Among Adolescents in Bulgaria, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain

Busse

2017

The Modern Language Journal

106

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This article explores adolescent students' attitudes toward learning English and other European languages studied at secondary school. The study is based on 2255 qualitative responses to a survey conducted in Bulgaria, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain. The data reveal that, although differences between countries shape the experience of foreign language learning in different ways, students in all four countries are highly aware of the global status of English. This can be a positive stimulus for students' attitudes toward English but it can also negatively affect their attitudes toward learning other languages, as these can be perceived as less valuable. While perceived societal importance can differ from personal relevance and while identity issues, ability beliefs, contextual factors on the school and classroom level, as well as social-relational contexts (especially the relationship to the teacher) also play a role in shaping students' attitudes, the data demonstrate that macro-contextual factors exert considerable influence. They also suggest that more attention must be paid to stimulating positive attitudes toward language diversity and to fostering plurilingual aspirations in young Europeans.

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confidence: 99%

Plurilingualism in Europe: Exploring Attitudes Toward English and Other European Languages Among Adolescents in Bulgaria, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain

Busse

2017

The Modern Language Journal

106

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“…Such experiences offer the intercultural speakers deeper insights and understanding in both cultures (own and learned). It appears that English is the preferred option for linguistic unity, allowing people from different first language backgrounds to communicate (Soler, 2008). As a consequence, nearly all Europeans, irrespective of social class, are provided Business and Economic Research ISSN 2162-4860 2013 www.macrothink.org/ber 92 with instructions in English.…”

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confidence: 99%

English Language Skills Training: Theory and Practice-A Cuban Perspective

Fisher

Ochoa

Moreno

2013

Business and Economic Research

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The ability to teach foreign languages effectively has become an increasingly important skill to develop and improve the language proficiency of students. Teachers need to develop and apply proactive and positive attitudes to foster new levels of foreign language learning within their students. Teaching, on its own, is not a panacea for success. This paper investigates how teachers at the Universidad de Oriente (UO) in Santiago de Cuba search for and apply innovative ways of teaching foreign languages to their students within current boundaries. The results from this research show that there is a positive relationship between the level of proficiency in a foreign language and the methods and approaches teachers apply to keep students motivated and interested in the subject matter. The literature review from this study provided supportive evidence which was strengthened with insights from face to face interviews and a focus group meeting. The outcomes confirmed that students, who are exposed regularly to practical and diverse teaching methods, are more likely to exceed the expected foreign language proficiency levels set by the UO"s quality standards.

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“…In the field of applied linguistics, the conceptualization has been increasingly seen as representing an emerging alternative form of language use other than English as a second or a foreign language that is measured against an ideal native speaker norm (House 2009). From sociolinguistic and pragmatic perspectives, ELF emphasizes a functional flexibility as a means of communication in connecting regions and cultures, and locates non-native users of English at the center rather than on the periphery of communication (Alcón Soler 2007;Ferguson 2009). Consequently, ELF has been commended as "an endeavour of normative liberalization" on an ideological level because of its recognition of the autonomous identities of competent non-native users of English (Ferguson 2009: 119).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

English as a Lingua Franca in Flanders

Poel

2011

ETC

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This article reports on a study that examines the attitudes of 69 Flemish university students towards the emerging conceptualization of English as a lingua franca (ELF) on the basis of a questionnaire survey. Built on the notion of ELF as a functional term theorized on sociolinguistic grounds, this study seeks to understand the relation between ELF as a theoretical construct and ELF as a reality in the life of these language students through their experiences of engagement with English, both within and outside the academic community. The results show that the students have embraced some ideas of the ELF phenomenon on a macro level, but retain a strong belief in the native standard norm on a micro level.

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Linguistic Unity and Cultural Diversity in Europe: Implications for Research on English Language and Learning

Cited by 17 publications

References 22 publications

Plurilingualism in Europe: Exploring Attitudes Toward English and Other European Languages Among Adolescents in Bulgaria, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain

Plurilingualism in Europe: Exploring Attitudes Toward English and Other European Languages Among Adolescents in Bulgaria, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain

English Language Skills Training: Theory and Practice-A Cuban Perspective

English as a Lingua Franca in Flanders

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