English as a Lingua Franca: The Study of Language Practices (original) (raw)

This paper presented an overview of some of the thinking that I perceived as missing, or at least underemphasised, from accounts of English as a lingua franca. The main focus is on considerations of what 'English', and therefore 'language', is and how this sociocultural, dynamic and fluid 'object' of study ought to be approached in terms of description and implications (e.g. for classroom practices). It argues that many anti-ELF positions are making valid points, but are, to some extent, chasing shadows, as most commentators have been addressing issues already discussed in the field (often in more depth), but these discussions have been poorly represented in research.