Beyond Global Englishes: Teaching English as a Dynamic Language

Abstract

Currently, a growing number of teaching approaches focus on aspects of variation in language (e.g. English as a Lingua Franca (ELF), World Englishes, English for Specific Purposes (ESP), genre theories, etc.); however, each of these approaches tends to focus on particular (specific) aspects of language variation and do not fully account for the range or dynamicity of linguistic variations. This article, based on a discussion of language variation, proposes a model of language proficiency that considers the dynamic nature of language variation and is not dependent on static (native-speaker defined) norms of language. Using the Dynamic Approach to Language Proficiency as a model of language proficiency and grounded in understandings of language variation, this article introduces the concept of Teaching English as a Dynamic Language (TEDL). The article includes evidence for the need to develop such a model and also points out ways in which current and future work can contribute to further development of this approach. Finally, the article also identifies some socio-economic implications of this work and explicitly supports the need to recognize and empower local (including endangered) languages through TEDL.