What’s in a name?

There are numerous terms to describe the process of learning English. In many English speaking countries it is often referred to as ‘English as an additional language’ or ‘English language learning’. The distinctive position in these contexts is for learners to acquire English alongside other subjects. This approach has proved very popular in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK, where over 25 years of research has informed a political agenda that promotes inclusion. In other areas, such as the Middle East, the term ‘English as another language’ has been coined to reflect the notion of children from minority ethnic backgrounds, who already have experience of using their own home languages and are learning the official language of the country, as well as learning English. In many other countries around the world, readers are likely to be familiar with the concept of learning ‘English as a foreign language’, where learning of English takes place in a non-English speaking context. In EFL classrooms there is a general aspiration for exposing learners to English as a ‘living language’, providing natural opportunities to practise target language through the use of authentic texts. In this case, the role of technology can provide a significant addition to the other more conventional tools (blackboards, textbooks, cassette players) that are found in classrooms around the world. Technologies like the internet can provide access to large quantities of authentic input material. Teachers and learners are no longer isolated from the target language or culture and can ‘… participate in the socially mediated practices of [the target language] community.’ (Kirsch, 2008:46). Even if learners do not have direct access to the internet in their classrooms, or at home, teachers often do have and can provide additional resources to supplement the material offered via conventional means.

(Adapted from https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/C607%20Information%20and%20Communication_WEB%20ONLY_FINAL.pdf