An Investigation of English Language Learners' Attitudes Towards Global Englishes: For A Paradigm Shift in English Language Teaching

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K20233
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: :Education and related fields
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Funada Natsuno 東京大学, グローバル教育センター(ALESS/A), 特任講師 (20912330)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: Global Englishes / ELT / Language attitudes / Attitude change

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of this study was to show how English language teaching (ELT) could be reshaped to match the new sociolinguistic reality of the 21st century by examining the attitudes of current English language learners in a global context. This study addressed the need to conduct rigorous attitude research through a model that links students’ traditional ELT attitudes and Global Englishes Language Teaching (GELT) attitudes using validated scales and focus-group interviews. The results demonstrated that students’ traditional ELT preferences positively impact their preferences for GELT, revealing another layer of complexity to GE-related innovations.

Free Research Field

Global Englishes

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

By overcoming the obstacles in the extant studies, this project improved the breadth, depth, and accuracy of the collected data, revealing the complex English language learners’ attitudes in a global context. The findings would be pertinent not only to researchers but also to teachers.