Global Englishes Pedagogical Activities for English-as-a-Foreign Language Settings and Beyond: Understanding Thai Teachers’ Practices

Abstract

As diverse linguacultural users of English use English in different contexts, the language has evolved into diverse varieties. With this transformation, traditional English-as-a-foreign-language-oriented pedagogies with strict compliance to native English norms are directly challenged by Global Englishes pedagogies. However, with fewer studies on Global Englishes-oriented activities in English-as-a-foreign-language contexts, this qualitative study sought to critically examine in and out of classrooms global Englishes-oriented activities implemented by 10 Thai teachers in 5 universities in order to raise learners’ Global Englishes awareness. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews and analyzed using qualitative content analysis based on the Global Englishes Language Teaching framework. The participants reported implementing five main Global Englishes activities in their teaching practices, including: (a) student–foreigner classroom interaction; (b) Global Englishes video-based Englishes exposure; (c) on-campus meet and greet; (d) Global Englishes discourse topics presentation; and (e) watching English-language films. The participants observed that these activities, if implemented, could greatly increase the students’ awareness and acceptance of English diversity.