Going Global

Globalization has been a topic of many of my classes this semester, and not just in TESOL classes.
The world is expanding and outside influences are seeping into culture- all five dimensions discussed in the first reading. This week's readings made me think back to them and I realize how even one tiny global influence has shaped an aspect of my identity or culture. I think one thing that is very eye opening to me is the notion of World Englishes- how there is no one Standardized English. This directly correlates to globalization- English is a tool to communicate and each country or group of people have taken English and made it their own, modifying what they can to fit their needs. I saw this first hand when I studied abroad. My host family used English very rarely but when they did it felt 'unproper' or grammatically incorrect to me yet to them it fit a need.

The big thing in this week's readings was the illustration of TESOL issues into circles- Inner Circle countries, Outer Circle countries, and Expanding Circle countries. I really found this model interesting and thinking about it or trying to wrap my head around it can be a bit overwhelming. Different programs and different approaches benefit different groups at every circle level and it is difficult to say which is the best or most beneficial.

One concept that really stood out to me was in Chapter1- the alchemy of English= knowing English is like possessing a magic lamp that holds all dreams and aspirations of linguistic knowledge. English is powerful and can lead to success, but is that really what we want to advertise English as? What effects, good and bad, can come from this? There is more to learning and teaching English than I thought and this concept really rattled me, both as a native English Speaker who has never thought of putting so much worth on one language and as a future teacher of English who 'holds the key' for many eager students.