English Language Teaching in the Modern Globalized World: Thai L2 Learners’ Views on Global Englishes

Krich Rajprasit; Apaporn Puchpan

Authors

Krich Rajprasit Srinakharinwirot university
Apaporn Puchpan Srinakharinwirot University

Keywords:

Varieties of English, ownership of English, Global Englishes, Global Englishes for Language Teaching, General English courses

Abstract

As a global language, English plays a dominant role in various fields such as international business, politics, diplomacy and education. Even so, the ideologies of native-speakerism remains prevailing in some ELT communities, especially Expanding-circle counties where native-speakers are treated as a role model. To respond to the call for changes in the present ELT communities, our study attempted to explore the attitudes of Thai university students toward Global Englishes (GE) prior to promoting the design and development of General English courses that promote the GE paradigm. Methodologically, quantitative research approach was performed by undertaking a survey. The online survey was distributed to students enrolled in General English courses of 10 universities sited in Bangkok and the suburban areas of Bangkok. There were a total number of 1,399 respondents completing the given questionnaire. The results revealed how those Thai students in different universities perceived the varieties and ownership of English and how possibly GE-informed courses could be developed based on their perceptions. Such results confirm that the inclusion of English diversity into the learning content and learning activities of General English courses would be beneficial for raising learners’ awareness of the present role of English in a global context.

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