English as a Global Language

David'sCrystal Definition of Global English

His definition of global language can be seen in the following video:

Which factors do you think that make a language to be global?

The fact that it is spoken in different places in the world in order to communicate. The economic and political power of a language can also play a key role in making a language global. The dominance in such realms transcends them and can have consequences at different levels from a society. For instance, it will be reflected in educational policies. Those languages which are considered to be advantageous in order to get a job in the future will be therefore encouraged at school.

What could be a definition of  Global language?

A global language is that which can be used in order to communicate in a wide variety of places and contexts. In a way it is similar to a lingua franca. But at the same time, in being used by speakers of different languages -or even speakers of the same language from different places- it has to be open-ended, to have an adaptability. A language is determined by its speakers, therefore a global language, although at first imposed by a specific language community has to blend itself to the new forms that arise in the different places where it is used.  

How does David Crystal define Global language? (Crystal's article)

As David Crystal has said: 'A language achieves a genuinely global status when it develops a special role that is recognized in every country' (Crystal). In order to be global, it cannot be a mother tongue, but it has to be 'taken up by other countries around the world' (Crystal). This can be done in two ways, either by granting it a special role in political and legal matters, as it is the case of English in countries like Ghana, Nigeria or India; or by implementing it through the educational system as a foreign language. Such case is the one of English in Spain. The reason why English can be considered a global language is because of its use, not only as a L1 for native speakers, but also as a L2 or FL, being thus employed world-wide.

A global language is a response to our globalised world and the consequent need to communicate among people who speak different languages. However, the choice is not devoid of ideology and vested interests, but just the contrary, it is the power -in the politica, economic, technological and cultural sense of the word- of the speakers what determines which language becomes global. The idiosyncratic character of the English world, with its colonial past, its importance in the industrial revolution, and its capitalist dominant present account for such dominance. Additional factors like the press, broadcasting or advertising, its use in popular songs and films, have also been core in this dissemination of power. At the end of the day, English has become a Global language because it has transcended and permeated to every single sphere, ranging from the most narrow and specific ones -such the scientific and technical world- to matters that concern the lay person and the culture they can access. English is in banners, films, in YouTube videos, Twitter, at school, even our clothes have inprinted messages in English.

A global language, however, seems to have the two different sides of the same coin. For, on the one hand, it is imposed over another language and probably works in detriment of the latter (causing phenomenon such as diglossia). With the linguistic power comes the linguistic death of another language. But on the other hand, this global language, will end up fragmenting itself. Such is the case of English in countries like Ghana, Singapore or India where it is now used by its populations with nationalist claims. Not only that, but in due time (it's already happening) new varieties of English will arise which might end up being unintellegible among themselves. The written realm however, seems to be safe from such fragmentation with the ominious power of Standard English. Furthermore the existence of broadcasting like the BBC ensures the prevailance of Standard English.

Do we need to the teach English as a ‘global’ language to learners? How can we do it?

If teachers want individuals/students to become fluent in a language and express themselves in wide variety of contexts. In other words as Crystal claims if we want to make them able to encounter the real English speaking world and feel confident, global English is necessary. It is a must in the classroom.

However, when teaching global English in a classroom setting. The teacher must be aware of the fact that there are two sides of English teaching: teaching production and comprehension. Nowadays, the main impact of global English is placed in comprehension; mainly reading and listening. As listening comprehension is essential for Crystal there is no dout that students should be provided with real/authentic materials such as texts, videos, songs, movies, etc, that represent English reality. If they aren't give real and divers materials, they will be schoked when facing the diversity English nowadays offers. They shouldn't listent to RP because that doesn't represent English. English has a lot of different accents and dialects. It is crucial to teach English bearing this idea in mind. Crystal explains as an example the diversity of accents London has. This is directed to pronunciation and grammar that are the main factors that change.

Nevertheless, in production teachers can't teach all the varieties.In fact, global English doesn't have as much impact in this area. If you teach in a variety and have all the materials in this one, then of course you have to stick to that one variety. We all have to speak only one accent and one variety. So, we as teacher depending on the contextand what we've learnt, we may teach one variety or another.

 Should we focus on the receptive skills? Why? Why not?

Skills are normally divided in two main groups; receptive and productive. The receptive ones are reading and listening and on the other hand the productive are speaking and writing.  Normally the emphasis is placed in students learning the receptive skills. For instance,in the classroom they are normally forced to read texts.  Nevertheless, we believe there should be a balance between both types. If the students are not able to produce their own language they will not be able to face real English situations, There has to be a mix, in fact, skills can't really be separated and be taught in different blocks as English lessons normally do. They are always complementing each other.

Our opinion about the topic

 A language is always conected to the history of the countries where it is spoken. If we look at the history of English, it is obvious that it has been used by people holding power. However reality has changed. Teaching English to students of the 21st century means making visible the democratic process the language has undergone. English is a language for everyone and it is in our hands to make its learning accessible.

Sources:

Crystal, David: "The Past, Present and Future of World English".

Crystal, David:" Should English be taught as a 'global' language?".