This paper contributes to recent discussions of levels of agency in Language Policy and Planning (LPP) research. It specifically aims to understand the role and importance of meso-level actors as arbiters of policy implementation. It argues that, whilst understanding of both macro- and micro-agency has grown over the past decade, little is…

There has been a rapid global expansion of English instruction in the early grades in public school curricula. Particularly in so-called developing countries, the increase of and its shift from exclusively private to public education is linked to the idea that acquiring English promotes personal, social, and economic development. The author takes…

Following the trend of much of the Western, non-English speaking world, Colombia has tirelessly strived for spreading English education in an effort to augment economic benefits. This paper aims at providing a critical account of foreign language education policy in Colombia, with special attention to English. It outlines the impact of its…

The national English program in Mexico was formally launched in 2009. The new program supplanted various state programs, and aimed to create a coherent, uniform curriculum that extended English instruction to all public school students across the country. The article describes the development, evolution, and changes as the program was piloted and…

The paper examines the recent national programme of English language instruction in the Mexican public primary schools, called the "Programa Nacional de Inglés en Educación Básica" (PNIEB). The programme, initiated in 2009 by the Ministry of Education as part of the national curriculum, represents the largest expansion of English…

This is a study on high school English as a foreign language Colombian teacher identity. Using an interpretive research approach, I explored the influence of the National Bilingual Programme on the reconstruction of teacher identity. This study focuses on how teachers feel about language requirements associated with a language policy. Three…

The English language is significant to the internationalisation of higher education worldwide. Countries in Asia are proactive in appropriating English for their national interests, while paying attention to associated national cultural identity issues. This article examines the ways in which the role of English is interpreted and justified in…

Identifies some ideological and political forces contributing to the Soviet dilemma caused by requiring a standardized proletarian culture (and language) amidst a multilingual and multicultural socialist society. Also focuses on linguistic planning, language change, and language development in the Central Asian part of the USSR. (SL)

Explores three problems emerging since transfer of Canadian English as second language teaching method to People's Republic of China: (1) assumption that teaching methodologies are exportable and acceptable in same way as modern technology, (2) lack of clarity between scientific and educational theories, and (3) assumption that these teaching…

This report examines the United Kingdom's (UK) capability in foreign languages and reports on what the nation should do to improve the situation. It is argued that despite the fact that English is rapidly becoming an even more dominant language in the world--it is clearly the international language of science, law, banking, business,…

Nationwide problems leading to lack of competency in foreign languages in the United States are discussed. The goals and procedures for national criteria and a national assessment program to rectify this deficiency are outlined. (PMJ)

A President's Commission makes several recommendations for a national effort to increase Americans' competence in foreign languages. Federal funding for teacher education programs, for institutions that encourage foreign language learning, for the development of special language and international studies high schools, and for experimental teaching…

ACTFL has initiated a number of new projects, several of which relate directly to the President's Commission on Foreign Language and International Studies. The emphasis is on finding ways to support and to work more closely with teachers, teacher educators, and administrators in order to address the full range of student needs. The agenda for the…

Discusses how the state of language learning in Britain relates to the establishment of a Single European Market. It is suggested that industry underestimates the time needed for language and culture study. A focus on languages other than French and early exposure to foreign languages and cultures is needed. (Author/LMO)

This document is a compilation of 20 papers from a seminar on educational policy and strategy for educating the indigenous peoples of Latin America and Mexico. There is a growing awareness among linguistics and anthropology specialists and educators of the necessity to validate education that respects the values of an indigenous culture. This…