Section outline

  • The course  looks at how today’s increasingly connected world shapes the role of English. It starts by clarifying the general idea of globalisation, then shows how English has become a global language with many different varieties around the world. Students are briefly introduced to these World Englishes and to the main reasons English spread so widely. 

    Objectives 

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    By the end of the course, students will be able to:

    • Define globalisation in simple, relevant terms and relate it to language use.

    • Describe why and how English functions as a global language in today’s world.

    • Recognise that there are multiple World Englishes and give examples of different varieties.

    • Identify the main factors that contributed to the global spread of English (e.g. colonisation, trade, media, technology).

    • Express, in a basic but informed way, some consequences of English globalisation for other languages and for speakers’ linguistic identities.