Discuss the relevance of exploring the relationship between language and gender for English language teachers and learners and provide suggestions and/or activities for the classroom.

Essay questions
The following are suggested topics. You should write 3,500 words on one of them. Give your references in your text and in the reference section. Do not copy large chunks of text from your sources; instead, you should paraphrase your sources and give references. Weighting: 100
If you decide to explore another topic, you should contact the module leader to discuss it with him and have his agreement.

1. Define the concept of “Standard English” and evaluate its relevance to English language teaching in a multicultural world.

2. Discuss the relevance of exploring the relationship between language and gender for English language teachers and learners and provide suggestions and/or activities for the classroom.

3. What is English as a Lingua Franca (ELF)? Discuss the extent to which such a phenomenon has motivated a paradigm shift in English language teaching.

4. Discuss the importance of teaching and learning pragmatics in ELT and outline ways in which pragmatic strategies can be taught from an intercultural perspective.

5. What do we mean by “politeness”? Compare and contrast the politeness systems of two (or more) languages and discuss the extent to which language learners and teachers can benefit from a contrastive approach.

6. Evaluate the theories that have been put forward to account for the origin and development of English-based pidgins and creoles. You may refer to whatever pidgin or creole language you wish.

7. Define “translanguaging” and refer to its importance in understanding language teaching and learning from a multilingual perspective. Suggest ways in which learners can benefit from using other languages in the English classroom.

8. Explain the processes of language decay and revitalisation and the potential reasons behind their occurrence. Provide examples from real-life language policy and planning and assess their success.

9. What is native-speakerism in ELT? Discuss the extent to which this ideology is present in the policies and practices of a particular context and outline ways in which it can be challenged.

READING LIST: “An introduction to sociolinguistic”, by Ronald Wardhaug and Janet M. Fuller