Global Englishes

Course objectives

The Global Englishes course analyses the linguistic and ideological dynamics that have contributed to the spread and transformation of English as a global language. Through a critical approach, students will examine linguistic variation in its multiple forms, from postcolonial varieties to English as a lingua franca as well as new emerging practices in educational and professional contexts. Particular attention will be given to ideologies of standardisation and the perception of the “legitimacy” of different English varieties, along with their impact on intercultural communication. By the end of the course, students will be able to critically analyse the role of English in global contexts, understand the sociolinguistic implications of its emerging varieties and develop an informed perspective on issues of power, language ownership and identity.

Channel 1
VANESSA LEONARDI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
1. The historical, social, and political context • Introduction to the historical, social, and political context • The legacy of colonialism • Postcolonial Africa and North America • The discourses of postcolonialism 2. Who speaks English today? • Introduction to who speaks English today? • The English Today debate • Teaching and testing Global Englishes • Who owns English today? 3. English as an international lingua franca • Introduction to English as an international lingua franca • The nature of ELF communication • The evolution of thinking about ELF • Looking ahead 4. English and ELF in global education • Introduction to English and ELF in global education • Towards the ELF-informed ELT classroom • Problematising English in EMI higher education • The end of ‘international’ standardized English testing? 5. Standard language ideology in the Anglophone world • Introduction to standard language ideology in the Anglophone world • Diversity across the Anglophone space • Standards across channels • Is language (still) power in the Inner Circle? 6. Variation across Postcolonial Englishes • Introduction to variation across Postcolonial Englishes • ‘Legitimate’ and ‘illegitimate’ offspring of English • ‘Sub’-varieties of English: the example of Singlish • From language to literature 7. English in Asia, Europe, and Latin America • Introduction to English in Asia, Europe, and Latin America • En route to new linguistic practices • Asian Englishes: Focus on India, Hong Kong, and China • Attitudes to non-native Englishes in China 8. The future of Global Englishes • Introduction to the future of Global Englishes • Possible future scenarios • Language killer or language promoter? • Looking ahead
Prerequisites
English at B2+ / C1 level
Books
Adopted Textbook: Jenkins, Jennifer and Morán Panero, Sonia. Global Englishes: A Resource Book for Students. 4th edition. London: Routledge, 2025. ISBN: 978-0-367-46262-8
Frequency
Attendance is not compulsory but strongly recommended
Exam mode
WRITTEN EXAM: COMPUTER-BASED TEST The written exam lasts 45 minutes. The test consists of multiple-choice and/or true–false questions based on the course content. The pass mark is 36/60. Dictionaries are not allowed. Bookings for each exam session close 3 days prior to the exam date and must be made exclusively online via INFOSTUD.
Lesson mode
The course runs twice a week during the SECOND semester and lectures will be mainly conducted in English. A communicative approach will be used in order to encourage active student participation in class.
  • Lesson code10620677
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseLinguistics
  • CurriculumSingle curriculum
  • Year1st year
  • Semester2nd semester
  • SSDL-LIN/12
  • CFU6