THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION
Course outline
Part I
Programme Titles
Course Title
Course code
: Bachelor of Education (Honours) (English Language) (Five-year
Full-time) Primary
Bachelor of Education (Honours) (English Language) (Five-year
Full-time) Secondary
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Language Studies (Four-year
Full-time)
: English as a Global Language
: ENG 4346
Department
Credit Points
Contact Hours
Pre-requisite(s)
: Linguistics and Modern Language Studies
:3
: 39
: Introduction to Sociolinguistics
Medium of Instruction : English
Level
:4
For Second Major (English Language): Elective Course
For Minor (English Language): Not available
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Part II
1. Synopsis:
This course aims at raising students’ consciousness to the political, socio-cultural and ethical
aspects of the global spread of English. The topics covered will equip students with the basic,
critical concepts (e.g. ‘standard’, ‘linguistic variation’, ‘linguistic prejudice’, ‘native speaker’,
‘non-native speaker’) needed to examine the pros and cons of the internationalization of
English worldwide. Students will be guided to reflect on the functions and status of English in
Hong Kong (‘Hong Kong English’) and elsewhere in Asia, especially in regard to the notion of
ownership and the choice of norms for English language teaching and learning.
2. Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs)
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
CILO1
demonstrate a sound understanding of the historical background
to the spread of English worldwide and the linguistic, social and cultural
problems thus created; [PILO9 ( GC3)]
CILO2
explain the emergence and significance of prominent regional
varieties of English in addition to the standard Englishes; [PILO1 (SK1) &
PILO9 (GC3)]
CILO3
critically reflect on the key arguments for and against the social
recognition of non-standard varieties of English. [PILO6 (SPK3) & PILO7 (GC1)]
3. Course Intended Language Learning Outcomes (CILLOs)
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
CILLO1 use the metalanguage of the description of linguistic features and
linguistic variation.[PILO3 (SK3)]
4. Content, CILOs and Teaching & Learning Activities
Course Content
CILOs/
CILLOs
Suggested Teaching &
Learning Activities
The global spread of English: Past and present
 The historical, social and political context
 The legacy of colonialism
 Postcolonial America and Africa
CILO1,2
Reading, lectures, guided
search on the Internet for
relevant literature, language
biography
Contact-induced varieties of English
 The origins of pidgins and creoles
 Characteristics of pidgins and creoles
 Creole developments in the UK and USA
CILO1,2,3
CILLO1
Reading, lectures, role play,
guided group presentations,
class discussion
World Englishes: norms, models and ownership
 Who speaks English today?
 The English Today debate
 Teaching and testing World Englishes
CILO1,2,3
Reading, lectures, guided
search on the Internet for
relevant literature, class
discussion
Variation in World Englishes
 Types of variation across Englishes
CILO1,2,3
CILLO1
Reading, lectures, guided group
presentations, class discussion
The ‘Standard English’ debate
 Standard language ideology
 Standards across space
 Standards across channels
CILO1,2,3
CILLO1
Reading, lectures, class debate
Problems in English as an International Language (EIL)
 The internationalization of English
 Native and non-native speakers of English
 Core approaches to EIL
CILO1,2,3
Reading, lectures, guided group
presentations, class discussion
New Englishes: the legitimacy of local norms
 The role of English in Asia and Europe
 En route to new standard Englishes
 Attitudes to local norms
CILO1,2,3
Reading, lectures, guided group
presentations, class discussion


The legitimate and illegitimate offspring of English
Emerging sub-varieties
5. Assessment
Assessment Tasks (ATs)
Individual Reflective essay (600-800 words)
Weighting (%)
20
CILOs/CILLOs
CILO1,2,3
CILLO1
Group presentation and written report
(2,000-2,500 words)
Examination
40
40
CILO1,2,3
CILLO1
CILO1,2,3
6. Required Text(s)
Jenkins, Jennifer. (2009). World Englishes. A resource book for students. (2nd ed.) London and
New York: Routledge.
7. Recommended Readings
Baumgardner, R.J. (ed.) (1996). South Asian English: structure, use and users. Illinois: University
of Illinois Press.
Bautista, Ma L. (Ed.) (1997). English is an Asian Language: The Philippine context. Sydney.
Macquarie Library.
Bolton, K. (2000). The sociolinguistics of Hong Kong and the space for Hong Kong English. World
Englishes 19(3): 265-286.
Bolton, K & Lim, S. (2000). Futures for Hong Kong English. World Englishes 19(3): 429-443.
Bolton, K. (2003). Chinese Englishes. A sociolinguistic history. Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press.
Bolton, K. & Y. Han (Eds.) (2009). Language and society in Hong Kong. Open University of Hong
Kong Press.
Brutt-Griffler, J. (2000). World English. A study of its development. Clevedon, UK: Multilingual
Matters.
Cook, V.J. (2002). Language teaching methodology and the L2 user perspective. In V.J. Cook (ed.)
Portraits of the L2 User. Clevedon, UK: Multilingual Matters. 327-343.
Crystal, D. (2003). English as a Global Language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Graddol, D. (2006). English Next. London: The British Council.
He, D.Y. & Li, D.C.S. (2009). Language attitudes and linguistic features in the ‘China English’
debate. World Englishes 28(1): 70-89.
Hung, T. (2000). Towards a phonology of Hong Kong English. World Englishes 19(3): 337-356.
Kachru, B.B. (2005). Asian Englishes: Beyond the Canon. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University
Press.
Kirkpatrick, A. (ed.) (2002). Englishes in Asia: communication, identity, power and education.
Melbourne: Language Australia.
Kirkpatrick, A. (2007). World Englishes. Implications for international communication and English
language teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Li, D.C.S. (1999). The functions and status of English in Hong Kong: A post-1997 update. English
World-Wide 20(1): 67-110. Reprinted in K. Bolton & Y. Han (eds.), Language and society in
Hong Kong. Open University of Hong Kong Press. 194-240.
Li, D.C.S. (2000). Hong Kong English: New Variety of English or Interlanguage? English Australia
EA Journal 18(1): 50-59.
Li, D.C.S. (2007). Researching and teaching China and Hong Kong English: Issues, problems and
prospects. English Today 23(3&4): 11-17.
Li, D.C.S. (2010). When does an unconventional form become an innovation? In A. Kirkpatrick
(ed.), Routledge Handbook of World Englishes. London & New York: Routledge. 617-633.
McArthur, T. (2002). The Oxford guide to World English. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
McKay, S.M. (2002). Teaching English as an International Language. Oxford: Oxford University
Press.
Trudgill, P. & Hannah, J. (2002). International English (4th edn.). London: Arnold.
Milroy, J. & Milroy, L. (1999). Authority in language. Investigating standard English. London:
Routledge.
Widdowson, H.G. (1997). EIL, ESL, EFL: global issues and local interests. World Englishes 16(1):
135-146.
8. Related Web Resources
Nil
9. Related Journals
 Asian Englishes
 English World-wide
 English Today
 World Englishes