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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

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Education

Journal

International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching

World Englishes

Publication Year

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Elt And Empowerment: Questions, Observations, And Reflections For Christian Educators, Michael Lessard-Clouston Mar 2015

Elt And Empowerment: Questions, Observations, And Reflections For Christian Educators, Michael Lessard-Clouston

International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching

As a field, English language teaching (ELT) has come under attack from a number of critical practitioners. In the classroom, English language teachers aim to empower our students by helping them improve their English abilities and skills. Yet there are discrepancies in terms of who learns and uses English for various purposes. Are English as a second or foreign language (ESL/EFL) teachers helping, or are we part of the ‘problem’ in ELT, as critics suggest? This article poses four questions in order for readers to consider issues in ELT and empowerment. In doing so, it summarizes observations from both the …


Is English A Force For Good Or Bad?, Kitty B. Purgason Mar 2014

Is English A Force For Good Or Bad?, Kitty B. Purgason

International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching

A survey of university students in China and Kuwait asked for their opinions about the effects of English on various aspects of their life and world: personal character and morals, material well-being, spiritual or religious development, family ties, local social change, international peace or conflict, and international interpersonal harmony. The results were overwhelmingly positive. Both the literature review and specific comments by some respondents suggest positive effects of English that can be encouraged and negative ones that may be countered through language policy, curriculum and materials, or classroom teachers. I also offer suggestions for future research and classroom teachers.