Applied Linguistics and Language Teaching in the Neo-Nationalist Era

This book explores how resurgent nationalism across the globe demands re-examination of many of the theories and practices in applied linguistics and language teaching as political forces seek to limit the movement of people, goods, and services across national borders and, in some cases, enact violence upon those with linguistic and/or ethnic backgrounds that differ from that of the dominant culture. The authors who have contributed to this volume provide careful analysis of nationalist discourses and actions in Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, China, Colombia, Germany, Poland, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Vietnam. They offer their unique historical and cultural perspectives on the complex relationship between language, identity, and nationhood in each of these countries, as well as practical responses to the fraught political situations that many language educators and policy makers now face.This book will appeal to researchers in applied linguistics and language teaching, as well as second and foreign language teaching professionals working and living in countries where nationalist sentiments are on the rise. Kyle McIntosh is Assistant Professor of English and Writing at the University of Tampa, USA, and co-editor of the volume Graduate Studies in Second Language Writing (2015). "Documenting the conflicting impacts of globalization and the rise of nationalism in various parts of the world, the many authors in this book show that applied linguists wield a unique though still largely untapped power to help build bridges rather than walls. Drawing on theories of the Global South, the authors of this book contribute to what Suhanthie Motha calls a 'Nation-conscious Applied Linguistics Practice'. With fresh insights into the role of language and discourse in a deeply troubling and troubled world, this book is a must read for students, researchers and educators in our field". -- Angel M. Y. Lin, Professor, Faculty of Education, Simon Fraser University, Canada "In this provocative collection, editor Kyle McIntosh has identified a range of leading applied linguists who are seeking to understand and confront the troubling resurgence of neo-nationalism in diverse regions of the world. Their nuanced insights on language and neo-nationalism are a sobering reminder that language can both promote and undermine struggles for social justice, both within and across national borders. A compelling text at a crucial time in the 21st Century". Bonny Norton (FRSC), Professor and Distinguished University Scholar, University of British Columbia. Preface Acknowledgments Contents Notes on Contributors List of Figures List of Tables 1 Introduction: Re-thinking Applied Linguistics and Language Teaching in the Face of Neo-Nationalism Nationalism, Language, and Education Neoliberalism and Applied Linguistics The End of Neoliberalism and the Rise of Neo-Nationalism? References Part I Policies 2 Neo-Nationalism and Language Policy in the United States: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Public Discourse Advocating Monolingual English Use Neo-Nationalism and Language The Study Purpose Method Analysis Candidate Statements on Language Use in the United States (2010s) Text of the Federal-Level English Language Unity Act (2019) Advocacy Statements in Support of the English Language Unity Act (2019) Official English Justification Statements: Individual States (1986–2007) Neo-Nationalism Versus Bilingual Education (2018–2019) Language-in-Education Legislation: State-Level Committee Hearings (2019) Discussion Conclusion References 3 The Impact of the Resurgent Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon on Language Education and Policy The Role of Language in the Formation of Nationalist Movements Linguistic Hegemony, Language Marginalization, and Resistance Methods and Procedures Colonial Legacy as the Seed of the Anglophone Crisis The Partitioning of German Kamerun by Great Britain and France Towards Independence The Foumban Constitutional Conference Hyper-Centralization of Power Erodes the Dreams of Anglophones Unconstitutional Name Change from the Federal Republic of Cameroon to the Republic of Cameroon The Anglophone Crisis (2016–2019) Linguistic Marginalization and Frenchification of the Anglo-Saxon Legal System Frenchification of the Anglo-Saxon System of Education The Resurgence of Armed Conflict Impact of the Armed Conflict on Language Policy and Education Impact on Language Planning Sociolinguistic Reforms in the Judicial Sector Sociolinguistic Reforms in the Education Sector Enhancing Normative Production in the Two Official Languages Promotion of Official Languages in Cameroon Legal Provisions on Official Public Language Use Legal Provisions on Official Language-in-Education Policy Impact on Language-in-Education Policy Impact on the Special Bilingual Education Program Conclusion References 4 Civic Nationalism and Language-in-Education Policies in the United Arab Emirates Description of Context Citizenship Laws National and Cultural Identity Divisions Across Ethnicities and Nationalities Emiratization Civic Nationalism and Education Civic Nationalism and Higher Education Civic Nationalism and Language Teaching Conclusion References 5 Colombia’s Language Politics: Neoliberalism Under the Guise of Messianic Nationalism Our Conceptual Lens Our Methodology: Duo-Ethnography Our Conversation The Legitimization of a Restrictive Understanding of Bilingualism Learning English as Personal Entrepreneurship for the Neoliberal Job Market Neoliberalism as Messianic Nationalism The Exacerbation of Favorable Conditions for Exploitation A Critical Examination of Teacher-Learners’ Beliefs and Imaginaries Revisiting Our Conceptual Framework and Concluding Remarks References 6 The Voices of Vietnamese Nationalism and Informal Discourse in Language Policy Nationalism: The State, Everyday People, and New Meanings Over Time The Evolution of Vietnamese Nationalism Nationalism as an Ongoing Social Process in Everyday Encounters Overview of Everyday Nationalism on Quora Digest Pride Mixed and Nuanced Inferiority Balanced Views About Vietnam as a Nation Language and Manifestations of Nationalism Language as Pride and Cultural Appreciation Multilingualism and Language as Unity Implications for Language Policy and Education References Part II Practices 7 The Role of Language in Social Media During the European Migrant Crisis Right-Wing Discourses and Counter-Discourses in Social Media Theoretical Framework, Data Collection and Analysis Findings #BerlinAttack: Features of Right-Wing Discourses Semiotic and Multimodal Resources #BerlinAttack: Features of Counter-Discourses Discussion and Conclusion References 8 Ideologies of Pluriculturalism and Neo-Nationalism in EFL Classrooms in Poland: An Exploratory Study of Teachers’ Self-Reports Literature Review Nationalism and Neo-Nationalism in Poland Nationalism and Foreign Language Teaching Current Exploratory Study Data Collection Participants Data Analysis Limitations Results Teachers’ Beliefs About the Role of Language and Culture in EFL Education Students’ Attitudes Toward Cultural Diversity Interactions Between Cultural Diversity and Nationalism in EFL Classrooms Discussion and Implications Practical Challenges in Teaching Intercultural Competence and Openness to Diversity in EFL Courses in Poland Challenges Stemming from Stakeholders’ Attitudes Toward Foreign Cultures The Role of Nationalism and Cultural Education in Poland Conclusion References 9 From “Sick Man” to Strong Man: The Changing Role of English Language Teaching in China in an Era of Rising Nationalism and Global Ambitions A Brief History of English in China Empire, Colonialization, and Revolution: 1664–1979 The “Third Wave” of English: 1980–2012 China Southern University: A Case Study of the “Third Wave” of English Learning and Rising Nationalism in China CSU’s Program for College English: A New Model for ELT in China Trip to the Cultural Revolution Museum Rising Nationalism at CSU Fear: “They Would Just Remain Utterly Silent” Pride: “We Still Play the Role that We Have Been Playing” Conclusion: Which Way Will the Wave Break? References 10 Nationalism, Redemptive and Banal, in Canadian ESL Textbooks and Citizenship Study Guides Banal Nationalism Banal Nationalism in ESL Textbooks Teaching Banal Nationalism Imagined Community and Legitimations of Nation Canada the Redeemer Canadians as Valuing Diversity Conformity Authorization Racism and Its Denial Great Canadians: Gendered and Racialized Greatness Stories About “You” Immigrant Success Stories Immigrant Voices Conclusion References 11 Remix Nationalism and Critical Language Education Militarist Remix Nationalism Teaching the Sociolinguistics of Struggle “Soft” Nationalisms and Regional Remix Strategies Building Critical Affective Literacies: Exploring Remix in an EAP Course Conclusion References 12 Afterword: Towards a Nation-Conscious Applied Linguistics Practice Nationalism and Race Nationalism and English Teacher Education and Other Higher Education Ideologies and Models of Language Education Conclusion References Index This book explores how resurgent nationalism across the globe demands re-examination of many of the theories and practices in applied linguistics and language teaching as political forces seek to limit the movement of people, goods, and services across national borders and, in some cases, enact violence upon those with linguistic and/or ethnic backgrounds that differ from that of the dominant culture. The authors who have contributed to this volume provide careful analysis of nationalist discourses and actions in Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, China, Colombia, Germany, Poland, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Vietnam. They offer their unique historical and cultural perspectives on the complex relationship between language, identity, and nationhood in each of these countries, as well as practical responses to the fraught political situations that many language educators and policy makers now face. This book will appeal to researchers in applied linguistics and language teaching, as well as second and foreign language teaching professionals working and living in countries where nationalist sentiments are on the rise