Learning English as an International Lingua Franca in a Semi-English-Speaking Country: The Philippines
Title
Learning English as an International Lingua Franca in a Semi-English-Speaking Country: The Philippines
Learning English as an International Lingua Franca in a Semi-English-Speaking Country: The Philippines
Keywords: the Philippines, semi-English-speaking country, native teachers, non-native teachers, international lingua-franca
Authors
Shigeru Ozaki
Takushoku University, Japan
Shigeru Ozaki
Takushoku University, Japan
Bio Data
Shigeru Ozaki is an associate professor of foreign language education at Takushoku University, Japan. He has conducted teacher-training courses, especially from the viewpoint of education for international understanding and language testing, at various universities in Japan. His current major research topics are how English should be taught as an international lingua franca and how international understanding is treated in university English entrance examinations.
Abstract
Some people try to improve their English in a country such as the Philippines, where English is used both as an official language and as a medium of school instruction. This paper discusses whether teachers should encourage students to learn English in such an environment. Both the advantages and disadvantages were discussed based on both a review of related literature and the author s experience of learning English in the Philippines. Several advantages were found while only a few disadvantages were identified. Moreover, the disadvantages are not very serious. In conclusion, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Learners can greatly benefit from learning English in the Philippines in various ways.
Some people try to improve their English in a country such as the Philippines, where English is used both as an official language and as a medium of school instruction. This paper discusses whether teachers should encourage students to learn English in such an environment. Both the advantages and disadvantages were discussed based on both a review of related literature and the author s experience of learning English in the Philippines. Several advantages were found while only a few disadvantages were identified. Moreover, the disadvantages are not very serious. In conclusion, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Learners can greatly benefit from learning English in the Philippines in various ways.
Category: Monthly Editions, Volume 53
