Towards English as an international language: The evolving English language curricula, examination papers and textbooks in Hong Kong (1975-2016)

Abstract

This study explores how theories and recommendations in the World Englishes (WE) and English as a lingua franca (ELF) literature over the past 40 years (1975-2016) have been translated into English language teaching (ELT) curricula, speaking and listening examination papers and textbooks in Hong Kong in three key areas, namely, (1) language standards, norms and models, (2) language and intercultural awareness and (3) strategies for international/intercultural communication. Based on qualitative and quantitative content analysis, the findings suggest that WE/ELF research has guided Hong Kong’s English language education mainly by accommodating to the changing role of English (from a colonial to an international language) and the evolving language use contexts in Hong Kong, but there has been little engagement with the pluricentric view of language varieties and variation. Specifically, the changes in the curricula, examination papers and textbooks suggest an attempt to raise students’ awareness of different cultures and real-life language use situations, but they fail to reveal the complex nature of contemporary English and international/intercultural communication. Furthermore, the textbook design appears to lag behind the recommendations of the corresponding curricula. Considering the incremental theory-to-practice process, the paper concludes by offering suggestions to initiate subtle changes that could better accommodate WE/ELF recommendations in the ELT development worldwide.