Comments on: English language learning injustice https://languageonthemove.com/english-language-learning-injustice/ Multilingualism, Intercultural communication, Consumerism, Globalization, Gender & Identity, Migration & Social Justice, Language & Tourism Thu, 06 Jun 2013 23:49:29 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 By: Internationalization and Englishization in Higher Education | Language on the Move https://languageonthemove.com/english-language-learning-injustice/#comment-17083 Thu, 06 Jun 2013 23:49:29 +0000 http://www.languageonthemove.com/?p=13985#comment-17083 […] recently discussed the transfer of the burden of language learning from society to the individual; increased social stratification as those who can afford private tuition in English will enjoy better…; and the damage done to critical inquiry if the medium is more important than the message. Cho […]

]]> By: Sinjoro ENG https://languageonthemove.com/english-language-learning-injustice/#comment-16236 Sat, 20 Apr 2013 05:36:25 +0000 http://www.languageonthemove.com/?p=13985#comment-16236 The only sad thing is many people still ignore the young bilingual education with Esperanto is the best. Besides, the English speakers are in the decline and not many local papers are reporting about it.

These have blinded the parents to think that the ever shining English is there without knowing the change of the world scene despite with the internet access are available to many parents.

http://www.mondeto.com/1/post/2011/09/immediate-and-lasting-advantages-of-early-esperanto-1-brain-building.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1582954/English-will-turn-into-Panglish-in-100-years.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/dec/04/last-lingua-franca-ostler-review

]]> By: Ingrid Piller https://languageonthemove.com/english-language-learning-injustice/#comment-16133 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 15:51:56 +0000 http://www.languageonthemove.com/?p=13985#comment-16133 In reply to Khan.

Thanks, Khan! Good point about the role of (English) language teaching debates in bashing public education … whose interest indeed!

]]> By: Khan https://languageonthemove.com/english-language-learning-injustice/#comment-16112 Sat, 13 Apr 2013 21:55:35 +0000 http://www.languageonthemove.com/?p=13985#comment-16112 Very interesting post and a very logical conclusion of the social stratification. Thanks very much indeed. It is interesting to see how literacies have been put on the back burner and the speaking ability in English is celeberated. In current Pakistan, the ability to communicate one’s ideas and attitudes in English is valued more than comprehending a written text. Like senior colleagues ( Block and Cameron, 2002), i do not see the trend as apolitical. The expectations of the labour market is of course we can not ignore but equally important is to evaluate the imported teaching methods that seem to make the local paedagogies irrelevant. Last thing, is the discourse that seem to force us to believe that our public institutions are no good. Whose interest is it to create an impression of making public sector institution useless?

]]> By: Guo Jian https://languageonthemove.com/english-language-learning-injustice/#comment-16108 Sat, 13 Apr 2013 16:39:20 +0000 http://www.languageonthemove.com/?p=13985#comment-16108 In reply to Ingrid Piller.

As far as I am concerned, the young should have more freedom and space to make their own decisions on English learning. Parents are only deaperate to make their children meet the standard set by government and enterprises.So today’s problems still root in the society’s expectations and requirements. Anyway, English is popular and helps people to get access to different cultures and different ways of thinking. Fashion..ha..so everybody does not want to be out.

]]> By: Ingrid Piller https://languageonthemove.com/english-language-learning-injustice/#comment-16064 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:19:21 +0000 http://www.languageonthemove.com/?p=13985#comment-16064 In reply to Li Jia.

Thanks, Li Jia! While I have no idea when people will stop being fooled, I’m continually amazed how gullible so many perfectly rational people are when it comes to language learning; not only does the belief in quick, easy, perfect language learning feed a whole industry, it also makes monolingual solutions in transnational enterprises seem like reasonable language management …

]]> By: Li Jia https://languageonthemove.com/english-language-learning-injustice/#comment-16055 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 07:07:42 +0000 http://www.languageonthemove.com/?p=13985#comment-16055 Unfortunately, all that has been described in the post is true in mainland China. To date, there are still loads of English teachers who believe in the panacea of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) , parents who insist on sending kids to Buxiban in order “not to lose at the starting point”(不要输在起跑线上), students who are looking for an easy-but-quick method to acquire English, consumers who are dreaming of purchasing a commercial product which can magically make them a native-like-speaker…
As an English teacher, I am well aware that CLT can’t solve the problem, but why it has been “acknowledging” by “the public” to date? Life is a long-journey, but why parents prefer to take such early and homogenous initiative driving little ones to Buxiban ignorant of their differences? Is there any easy-way or short-cut to “pick up” English in a foreign language environment or any advertised product that can truly offer the magic change of one’s identity by acquiring a “native-like” accent? I wonder…
When can we stop being fooled?

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