The dynamic role of the English language in contemporary Poland

Abstract

Since the 2014 World Englishes report on English in Poland, the country has undergone shifts in education, politics and immigration. In this article, we summarize the key themes that have emerged in recently published research on English, including its use in everyday life, its impact on the Polish language, and its status and role in the Polish educational system, including K‐12 and higher education. We also discuss the impact of shifting national politics on the status and attitudes toward English in contemporary Polish society. In particular, we show how the growing neo‐nationalistic movement and the heated public debates on gender and sexuality play out in English language classrooms. We conclude the article with a discussion of future trends in English language use, teaching and learning.