Abstract
There are varying claims about the number of English second-language speakers, with figures between 100 million and 400 million (Crystal 1997). Similarly, the number who have learnt English as a Foreign Language (EFL) also varies, with estimates ranging from 100 million–1,100 million (Baker 2011: 84). According to Crystal (2012: 5), ‘English is now the language most widely taught as a foreign language – in over 100 countries, such as China, Russia, Germany, Spain, Egypt and Brazil – and in most of these countries it is emerging as the chief foreign language to be encountered in schools’. Similar observations have been made of the EU, where English is understood to be the most widely taught foreign language (Cenoz and Gorter 2013: 591). While English has made a clear and profound impact on language teaching around the world, less obvious, or perhaps more contentious, is the issue of what role first languages (L1s) should play in the ELT classroom.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Further reading
Amir, A. and Musk, N. (2014). Pupils doing language policy: Micro-interactional insights from the English as a foreign language classroom. Journal of Applied Language Studies, in press.
A different look at doing language policy in the same context investigated in this study.
Copp Jinkerson, A. (2011). Interpreting and managing a monolingual norm in an English-speaking class in Finland: When first and second graders contest the norm. Journal of Applied Language Studies, 5: 27–48.
This is an excellent study of monolingual norms, and how they are managed, in an English-language classroom in Finland. The article provides a good look at how issues presented in this chapter are managed with younger pupils.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2015 Alia Amir
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Amir, A. (2015). Examining English-Only in the EFL Classroom of a Swedish School: A Conversation Analytic Perspective. In: Jenks, C.J., Seedhouse, P. (eds) International Perspectives on ELT Classroom Interaction. International Perspectives on English Language Teaching. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137340733_12
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137340733_12
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-46490-6
Online ISBN: 978-1-137-34073-3
eBook Packages: Palgrave Language & Linguistics CollectionEducation (R0)