David Graddol
由 editor 于 星期三, 10/21/2009 - 10:55 发表
ABSTRACT
The last few years have witnessed some remarkable changes in the status of English across the world and corresponding developments in the ways in which English is taught and learned. In this presentation I will explain how economic and demographic trends are changing educational and linguistic landscapes and transforming the future of English Language Teaching. For example, many countries have lowered the age at which they introduce the learning of English in schools. Where this programme is successful, national populations are becoming bilingual. I will examine changing ideas about the English language skills which are needed by learners. And how can it be that the need for English teachers will decline, even as the amount of English in the world continues to grow?
David Graddol is a British applied linguist, well-known as a writer, broadcaster, researcher and consultant on issues relating to global English. After working for the UK Open University for 25 years, he is now runs The English Company (UK) Ltd and is Managing Editor of linguistics books and journals for Equinox Publishing. David is joint editor of the CUP journal 'English Today', and is on the editorial boards of several other journals, including 'Language Problems and Language Planning' and 'Visual Communication'.
David Graddol researched and wrote The Future of English for the British Council in 1997. Published in British, Chinese and Japanese editions, this report helped establish a new agenda and framework for understanding the international development of English. English Next was published in 2006 (also available in a Spanish translation). A sequel focused on English in India, English Next India, is due to be published later this year.
David has been sponsored by the Cultural and Education Section of the British embassy.
TITLE: How global trends are reshaping the world of ELT
ABSTRACT
The last few years have witnessed some remarkable changes in the status of English across the world and corresponding developments in the ways in which English is taught and learned. In this presentation I will explain how economic and demographic trends are changing educational and linguistic landscapes and transforming the future of English Language Teaching. For example, many countries have lowered the age at which they introduce the learning of English in schools. Where this programme is successful, national populations are becoming bilingual. I will examine changing ideas about the English language skills which are needed by learners. And how can it be that the need for English teachers will decline, even as the amount of English in the world continues to grow?
