Skip to main content

Critical Pedagogy in ESL/EFL Teaching in South Asia

Practices and Challenges with Examples from Sri Lanka

  • Chapter
Critical ELT Practices in Asia

Part of the book series: Transgressions ((TRANS,volume 82))

Abstract

Critical Pedagogy (CP) is interpreted differently and its applications are used with varying degrees of intensity in different disciplines and various parts of the world. The application of CP in most disciplinary and geographic locations is also fraught with challenges which are home-grown and foreign. The field of English Language Teaching- English as a Second / Foreign Language (ESL / EFL), is one discipline where challenges to implementation of CP are quite pronounced. In this chapter the author draws on Sri Lanka as a specific example to explore the practices of and challenges to implementing CP in the teaching English as a Second Language in the region and resolves a way forward.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 49.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Bhattacharya R, Gupta S, Jewitt C, Newfield D, Reed Y, Stein P. The PolicyPractice Nexus in English Classrooms in Delhi, Johannesburg, and London: Teachers and the Textual Cycle. Tesol Quarterly. 2007;41(3):465–487.

    Google Scholar 

  • Canagarajah S. Functions of codeswitching in ESL classrooms: Socialising bilingualism in Jaffna. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development. 1995;6(3):173–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Canagarajah S. Resisting linguistic imperialism in English teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  • Canagarajah, S. (2001a). Consructing hybrid postcolonial subjects: Codeswitching in Jaffna classrooms. In M. Heller & M. Martin-Jones (Eds.), Voices of authority: Education and linguistic difference (pp. 193–212). Wesport, CT.: Ablex.

    Google Scholar 

  • Canagarajah S. Critical ethnography of a Sri Lankan classroom: Ambiguities in student opposition to reproduction through ESOL. In: Candlin C, Mercer N, editors. English language teaching in its social context: a reader. New York: Routledge; 2001b. p. 208–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Canagarajah S. Multilingual writers and the struggle for voice in academic discourse. In: Pavlenko A, Blackledge A, editors. Negotiation of identities in multilingual contexts. Sydney: Multilingual Matters; 2004. p. 266–289.

    Google Scholar 

  • Canagarajah S. Toward a writing pedagogy of shuttling between languages: Learning from multilingual writers. College English. 2006;68(6):589–604.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crookes G. The practicality and relevance of second language critical pedagogy. Language Teaching. 2010;43(03):333–348.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crookes, G., & Lehner, A. (n.d.). Reflections on an ESL critical pedagogy teacher education course Retrieved June 21, 2007 http://www.hawaii.edu/sls/crookes/crit_ped.html

  • Fishman, J. A. (1998–1999). The new linguistic order. Foreign Policy(113), 39–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giroux HA. Pedagogy and the politics of hope: Theory, culture and schooling. Boulder, CO.: Westview Press; 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayes D. Duty and service: Life and career of a Tamil teacher of English in Sri Lanka. Tesol Quarterly. 2010;44(1):58–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hornberger N, Vaish V. Multilingual language policy and school linguistic practice: globalization and English-language teaching in India, Singapore and South Africa. Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education. 2009;39(3):305–320.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hossain, T., & Tollefson, J. W. (2007). Language policy in education in Bangladesh. In A. B. M. Tsui & J. W. Tollefson (Eds.), Language policy, culture, and identity in Asian contexts (pp. 241–257). Mahwah, NJ.: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kandiah T. Disinherited Englishes: The case of Lankan English. Navasilu. 1981;4(92–113).

    Google Scholar 

  • Karunaratne, I. M. (2003). Teaching English in urban Sri Lanka: Some pedagogical issues. Paper presented at the 9th International Conference on Lanka Studies, Matara, Sri Lanka.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenkel J, Tucker R. Evaluation of institutionalized varieties of English and its implications for placement and pedagogy. World Englishes. 1989;8(2):201–214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee E, Norton B. The English language, multilingualism, and the politics of location. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism. 2009;12(3):277–290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liyanage, I. (2004). An exploration of language learning strategies and learner variables of Sri Lankan learners of English as a second language with special reference to their personality types. Thesis (Ph.D.), Griffith University, Queensland, Australia. Retrieved from http://www4.gu.edu.au:8080/adt-root/public/adt-QGU20040716.112300/index.html

  • Liyanage I. Pre-packaged multimodal Resources and Second Language Teacher Agency. Journal of the Korean School Textbook Research. 2008;2(3):251–258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liyanage I. Globalisation: Medium-of-instruction policy, indigenous educational systems and ELT in Sri Lanka. In: Vaish V, editor. Globalization of language and culture in Asia. London: Continuum; 2010. p. 209–232.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luke A, Dooley KT. Critical literacy and second language learning. In: Hinkel E, editor. Handbook of Research on Second Language Teaching and Learning. London: Routledge; 2009. p. 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohamed, N. (2006). An exploratory study of the interplay between teachers' beliefs, instructional practices & professional development. Master's thesis, The University of Auckland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perera, K., & Canagarajah, S. (2010). Globalization and English teaching in Sri Lanla: Foreign resources and local responses Globalization of language and culture in Asia (pp. 106–119). London: Continuum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perusinghe, E. A. (1969). English versus the national languages. In U. D. I. Sirisena (Ed.), Education in Ceylon (from the sixth century B.C. to the present day) - A Centenary Volume (Vol. 2, pp. 473–480). Colombo: Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillipson R. Linguistic imperialism. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillipson R. English for globalisation or for the world's People? International Review of Education. 2001;47(3–4):185–200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Punchi L. Resistance towards the language of globalisation- - the case of Sri Lanka. International Review of Education. 2001;47(3–4):361–378.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raheem R, Ratwatte H. Teaching English: possibilities and opportunities. In: Heys D, editor. Selected Papers from the 1st International Conference of the Sri Lanka English Teachers' Association. Colombo: The British Council; 2001. p. 23–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramanathan V. Ambiguities about English: Ideologies and critical practice in vernacular- medium college classrooms in Gujarat, India. Journal of Language, Identity & Education. 2005;4(1):45–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruberu, R. T. (1969). Early British educational activities. In U. D. I. Sirisena (Ed.), Education in Ceylon (from the sixth century B.C. to the present day) - A Centenary Volume (Vol. 2, pp. 359–374). Colombo: Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs.

    Google Scholar 

  • Samarakkody M, Braine G. Teaching English in Sri Lanka: From Colonial roots to Lankan English. In: Braine G, editor. Teaching English to the world: History, Curriculum and Practice. London: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates; 2005. p. 147–157.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarwar Z. Innovations in Large Classes in Pakistan. TESOL Quarterly. 2001;35(3):497–500.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shamin F. Learner resistance to innovation in classroom methodology. In: Coleman H, editor. Society and the language classroom. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 1996. p. 105–121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma G. A Teacher's letter home: Educational worldviews and approaches to ELT. Journal of NELTA. 2008;13(1–2):131–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shelton L. Importing Canagarajah's global English theories. English Teaching: Practice and Critique. 2007;6(2):58–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tatto MT. The value and feasibility of evaluation research on teacher development: contrasting experiences in Sri Lanka and Mexico. International Journal of Educational Development. 2002;22(6):637–657.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tatto MT, Dharmadasa KH. Social and political contexts of policy formation in teacher education in Sri Lanka. In: Ginsburg MB, Lindsay B, editors. The political dimension in teacher education: Comparative perspectives on policy formation, socialization and society. London: Routledge; 1995. p. 99–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tatto MT, Nielsen HD, Cummings W, Kularatna NG, Dharmadasa KH. Comparing the effectiveness and costs of different approaches for educating primary school teachers in Sri Lanka. Teaching and Teacher Education. 1993;9(1):41–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thoonen EEJ, Sleegers PJC, Oort FJ, Peetsma TTD, Geijsel FP. How to improve teaching practices: The role of teacher motivation, organizational factors, and leadership practices. Educational Administration Quarterly. 2011;47(3):496–536.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tollefson JW. Policy and ideology in the spread of English. In: Hall JK, Eggington WG, editors. The sociopolitics of English language teaching. Clevedon, UK: Multilingual Matters; 2000. p. 7–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warnasuriya, W. M. A. (1969). Secondary education. In U. D. I. Sirisena (Ed.), Education in Ceylon (from the sixth century B.C. to the present day) - A Centenary Volume (Vol. 3, pp. 811–824). Colombo: Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wedikkarage, L. K. (2009). Science education and English medium: The Sri Lankan experience. In B. Brock-Utne & G. Garbo (Eds.), Language and power: The implications of language for peace and development (pp. 260–266). Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.: Mkuki Na Nyota Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wijetunga, S. (1969). Government effort and missionary enterprise in education. In U. D. I. Sirisena (Ed.), Education in Ceylon (from the sixth century B.C. to the present day) - A Centenary Volume (Vol. 2, pp. 447–461). Colombo: Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wijetunge P, Alahakoon U. Empowering 8: the Information Literacy model developed in Sri Lanka to underpin changing education paradigms of Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Journal of Librarianship and Information Management. 2009;1(1):31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young Silva, C. (1982). EFL and ESL textbook writing for primary schoolchildren: Experiences in Brazil and Sri Lanka. Foreign language teaching and cultural identity, 113–120.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Sense Publishers

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Liyanage, I. (2012). Critical Pedagogy in ESL/EFL Teaching in South Asia. In: Sung, K., Pederson, R. (eds) Critical ELT Practices in Asia. Transgressions, vol 82. SensePublishers, Rotterdam. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6091-797-4_7

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Societies and partnerships