The main social roles of English language in Russia in their connection with CLIL university teaching and classroom interaction

Abstract

This study investigated the main social roles of English language in Russia in their connection with CLIL university teaching and classroom interaction. Data comes from two stage expert research with CLIL and ESL university teachers (N=33). They were asked about the social roles of English language in the nowadays Russian universities and preferable conception for future development of CLIL university program. Four conceptions were chosen by experts: Global English, Russian English, multilingual conception and English as an investment. The features of each concept were identified and discussed in terms of their influence on the process of CLIL education. The «conceptions-leaders» were determined by ranking. They are Russian English and Multilingual conception.  Despite the fact that the concept of Russian English considered appropriate at the present time, future preferences are associated with the concept of multilingualism.