Global English

Doel vak

1. Knowledge
You are able to describe factors in the spread of English in the world and the ways in which varieties of English have evolved world-wide. You are also able to describe some of the social consequences of Global English (e.g. language loss, social inequality).

2. Skills
Within theories of language variation and change, you are able to analyse some of the major linguistic features of varieties of English around the world. You are also able to assess social issues in society that involve the English language, such as linguistic discrimination and implemented language policies.

3. Attitude
You are able to present a well-informed perspective of the nature of different Englishes and the impact of the global spread of English on people in societies around the world.

4. Communication
You are able to report on topics in Global English in short oral presentations and in writing.

5. Competence
You are able to identify people’s needs regarding the English language, including your own, and you are able to decide on the best way to act upon it.

Inhoud vak

In the lectures, we will examine the spread of the English language around the world. We will begin with regions in the world where English is spoken as a first language (England, the Celtic countries, the U.S., Australia, etc.). We will then move on to regions where English is spoken as a second language (Africa and Asia), and from there to regions where English is used as a foreign language or a lingua franca (e.g. The Netherlands, Europe, China, and so on).

We will explore different issues in the global spread of English. These include: linguistic issues (variation in English, World Englishes), social issues ( language and identity, language and power, language death, linguistic exclusion and discrimination), and literary concerns (the use of English in postcolonial literature).

Some of the lectures are presented by guest lecturers from Scotland, Australia, Uganda and Japan.

In the seminar, we will address questions that have arisen from the lectures or the reading and we will discuss course work.

Aanvullende informatie onderwijsvormen

Toetsvorm

• Exam (100%, individual grade).
• To successfully complete the course, you must obtain a grade of ≥5,5 for the exam and have submitted mandatory course work.
• There is an attendance requirement of 80% for both the lectures and the seminars.

Vereiste voorkennis

• Students must have passed Academic English CIS-L&S Grammar (L_EABAALG103) and Academic English CIS-L&S Writing (L_EABAALG104) and they must have participated in English: International Communication (L_ETBACIW102).
• Exchange students should have taken equivalent courses.
• Students in the Minor 'English' are exempted from these entry requirements. They need to contact the Onderwijsbureau of the Faculty of Humanities (FGW) to register for the course (onderwijsbureau.fgw@vu.nl).

Literatuur

• Schneider, E.W. 2020. English Around The World. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Second edition.
• Other literature and materials will be made available in Canvas.

Aanvullende informatie doelgroep

CIS students, Literature & Society students, students in the Minor 'English', History students, premaster- and exchange students.

Afwijkende intekenprocedure

This course has seminars, but you cannot self-register for a seminar in VU-net. If you want to know the days/times at which the seminars have been scheduled, go to rooster.vu.nl; click the 'Options' button at the right-hand side of the course title and select ‘Choose groups’.
A couple of weeks before the start of the course, your course coordinator will invite you to sign up for a seminar via Canvas.