Ideologies in English Language Education: A Synchronic and Diachronic Approach

Abstract

This chapter fi rst reviews the origin of the term ‘ideology’ and illustrates the stance of the book on this issue. It then defi nes the term ‘language ideology’ and gives an overall review and critique of the range of language ideologies with regard to English language teaching and learning. It engages in a critical and political analysis of the ascendancy of English and of attitudes towards and expectations of its global spread. Perspectives to be critically discussed include those of colonial celebration, instrumentalism, laissez-faire liberalism, linguicide and linguicism as proposed by Pennycook and other scholars. By doing so, it constructs a theoretical framework for the study of language ideology in education.