English as a Lingua Franca

The flexibility of English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) enables people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds to successfully communicate. English as a Lingua Franca offers a comprehensive introduction to global variation in the world’s most widely used common language, combining theoretical insights and practical application in a single, easily accessible resource. Divided into two parts, this textbook first provides a foundation in ELF theory, tracing its historical evolution and examining its application across global domains such as academia, business, and healthcare. The second part empowers readers to conduct original ELF research, offering step-by-step guidance on topic selection, research design, and effective presentation of findings. Authors William J. Crawford and Marcella Caprario highlight ELF’s role in fostering global communication, discuss its connections to language policy and attitudes, and challenge traditional notions of “standard” English. With a wealth of real-world examples, English as a Lingua Franca is perfect for students in applied linguistics, TESOL, and global Englishes. It is also invaluable for educators and researchers seeking to explore ELF’s dynamic role in real-world communication and its implications for language teaching and policy-making. Provides clear and comprehensive guidance to advanced students to perform their own research in the fast-changing field of English as a Lingua Franca English as a Lingua Franca: Practice and Research serves as a vital means of communication among speakers from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, facilitating connections across global domains such as academia, business, and healthcare. English as a Lingua Franca: Practice and Research equips readers with the tools to explore the dynamic phenomenon of English as a Lingua Franca (ELF), tracing its history, linguistic characteristics, and societal implications. Assuming no previous background in the field, this accessible textbook provides step-by-step guidance for designing, conducting, and sharing original ELF research. Structured in two parts, the text first provides a balanced understanding of ELF and highlights its role in promoting intercultural communication and challenging traditional language ideologies. The second part equips readers with the necessary tools to perform ELF research, covering the entire research process from identifying research topics to choosing appropriate methodologies. Reflective questions, activities, and practical tips in each chapter deepen engagement with the material and encourage critical exploration of ELF. The first textbook of its kind to combine foundational concepts, theoretical insights, and hands-on practices in a single volume, English as a Lingua Franca: Practice and Research: Provides a framework to explore real-world language use and contribute meaningfully to the field Covers corpus analysis, conversation analysis, and narrative inquiry Offers practical strategies for selecting topics, structuring research projects, and presenting findings as papers, presentations, or posters Discusses the role of ELF in language attitudes, policies, and multilingual communication Reflects upon cutting-edge ELF research and future directions for the field English as a Lingua Franca: Practice and Research is an indispensable resource for students and researchers seeking to navigate this emerging field and engage with its growing community of scholars. It is ideal for advanced undergraduate and master's degree students, as well as linguists and TESOL professionals wanting to conduct research on global language practices.