The English Divide

Abstract

This chapter lays the foundation for discussing the rise of English as the world’s dominant lingua franca and its nuanced effects on educational quality, national identity, and democracy in diverse geopolitical settings. Raising the question of English dividing the world between those who speak it and those who do not, the chapter introduces recurring themes that tie the book together, including the use of language as a political and economic tool, the ways in which English intersects with globalization and the knowledge economy, and the driving force of neoliberal ideas as they shape government decisions on languages in schools and universities. It further poses related questions of whether a common world language is necessary, whether English can “do it all,” and whether English-speaking countries and others should promote multilingualism.