Stephen van Vlack
Sookmyung Women`s University
Graduate School of TESOL
The History of English (Teaching English as a Global Language)
Course Policy - Fall 2006
Overview: Languages are not benign and they do not lead natural lives. Languages exist through the will and intent of the people who speak them or wish to speak them. No where is this truer than for English in the current world. English is, for better or worse, the language of globalization with the US and UK wearing the face and cutting the cloth of globalization. This makes dealing with English, teaching English, a political, social and even cognitive issue.
One of the best ways of understanding the present and predicting the future is to study the past. This exactly what we presume to do in this class. This three-hour-per-week course is designed to provide students with instruction in the sociolinguistic history of English as a global language. Simply put, we will be looking at not only the effects the English language has had on globalization but also the effects that globalization have had on English. We will examine the spread of English across the globe and how and why this feat was achieved, thus launching English in its current position as a global language. Once more, we will be looking at English and globalization from two different points of view. From all this we will try to analyze how we as the principle purveyors of English in this country can responsibly deal with English linguistically, socially and politically. Based on this, by the end of this class, students should have a good idea of their own place in this globalized world as citizens and English teachers endeavoring to develop minds.
Objectives: This course will cover three main aspects. First students will deal with history by looking at the spread of English, coming to understand how such events ensue. Through this students will come to understand how English reached the shores of Korea. Following that we will take a look at linguistic/political issues in several English speaking countries. This will give students an idea of some of the possible issues that will inevitably arise here in Korea regarding English. The last thing we will be looking at is how we can deal with the current and future situation as teachers of English. In order to achieve these goals we will move the students through three basic stages. In the first stage students will discuss the need for multilingualism in a global world. In the second stage the linguistic side of multilingualism will be discussed. In the final stage discussions of local political situations in relation to English and globalization will be discussed. By moving to these three stages it is hoped that students will truly develop a more balanced, realistic, and more informed view of English in its global context.
Texts
Summer Reading
---Trimnell, Edward. (2003). Why you need to learn a foreign language - and how to learn one.
Primary Texts:
---Canagarajah, A. (1999). Resisting linguistic imperialism in English teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
---Crystal, David. (2003). English as a Global Language (2nd edition). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
---Kecskes, I. and T. Papp. (2000). Foreign language and mother tongue. Mahwah, NJ.: Lawrence Erlbaum.
---Sonntag, Selma. (2003). The local politics of global English. Lanham, MD.: Lexington.
Additional Materials:
The teacher will be providing students with handouts on a regular basis. In order to hold all these handouts, the students must buy a strong folder. These handouts are to be brought to each class session unless otherwise stated.
Methodology
English Only: Students are encouraged to conduct all course work in English. This means all writing, note-taking, and discussion should be in English. This will make things easier on the exams and projects that will take place.
Classroom: In the classroom, I will try to get as far away from direct lecturing and rote memorization as possible. We will be covering a rather large amount of diverse information in this class. The focus in this class will be on practice and feedback in integrating this information. Students will often be asked to demonstrate what they have learned. Please, always come prepared or you will be lost in class.
Attendance: Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes. Two or more absences will result in a significantly lowered final grade. Being late twice is counted as an absence. Arriving more than half an hour late is also counted as an absence. Students themselves are responsible for all material covered and assigned in class during their absence. If you are going to be absent and know it beforehand, make sure you contact your teacher as far in advance as possible.
Assignments
Homework: There will be regular homework assignments based on the reading. Students will need to check the website several days before the class to see what the homework is for each week`s reading. Most of these assignments will involve answering certain questions about the reading material and is due on the day we are scheduled to cover the reading. In addition, there will also be other small assignments and group projects from time to time.
Exams
Midterm: The Mid-term is due in the ninth week of class (November 6th). Its form is open to discussion. The mid-term will cover only the first half of the class.
Final Exam: The final project will be a paper in which the students are expected to demonstrate their familiarity with the issues presented in this class. Its exact form is open to discussion. It is tentatively scheduled to be due on Dec. 22nd.
Grades: Final grades will be based on performance in the following categories.
Participation 15%
Assignments 30%
Projects 10%
Midterm 15%
Final 30%
Important Notes
-Late assignments will not be accepted for marks and missed in class work cannot be made up. If, however, you know in advance that you will be late or absent make sure you contact the teacher and maybe something can be worked out.
-The penalty for plagiarism and cheating is automatic failure. Don`t try it.
Instructor: Stephen P. van Vlack
Office: Sookmyung Professional Center 410
Telephone: 710-7761
e-mail: [email protected]
Office Hours: Monday = 5:00 - 6:00
Tuesday = 12:00 - 1:00
Thursday = 2:00 - 3:00
Friday = 5:00 - 6:00
or by appointment
Make sure you come by frequently. I am often there, so just stop by whenever you have a free minute or have something that is bothering you.
There is a complementary web-site for this course. You must go there each week to get the homework assignments and class notes as well as any other important information.
The address is:
http://www.geocities.com/utlaagt
This is a special tool for you to use. Make sure you use it. If you are having problems accessing the web-site or the information on it come and see me.