Main Article Content
Abstract
Knowledge of English as a means of communication among nations of the world is regarded as a must have asset by everyone in today's world. However, many scholars and writers advocate the imperialist view arguing that the globalization of English results in an increasing intrusion of English into the lives of people exerting dominance, power, culture, ideology and language of English speaking countries over the periphery countries. Taking up an anti-imperialist stance, the author of this literature critically examines studies completed on EFL students' attitudes towards learning English language to date and determines how popular English is in Iran in comparison to other foreign languages. After having discovered the popularity of English in Iran, the author argues against the strict anti-intrusion policies of Iranian government which has so far led to proposed bans or tight restrictions on ELT in Iran. The objective is to call on political extremists to moderate their stance on their anti-intrusion policies. The author collected findings from dozens of studies published in post-revolutionary Iran between 1977 and 2019 and concluded that the participants found English learning beneficial and mostly favoured. Findings highlight highly positive attitudes towards learning English that do not fit the linguistic imperialism paradigm. The paper, therefore, argues against linguistic imperialism, its credibility and the many disadvantages that have been linked to it by highlighting a massive influx of respondents' high inclination towards learning English that show a dramatic increase over time and positive expressions on the positive effects of English on the country's social, economic, and scientific growth. Eventually, the paper prescribes negotiation rather than prohibition. Negotiation and respect are beneficial for both sides, for people and government. The views and opinions expressed in this article promise clear implications for government officials, educators, parents, EFL teachers and policy-makers.
Keywords
Linguistic imperialism; Ban; English language teaching; Attitude; Anti-imperialist
Article Details
How to Cite
Mahboudi, H. R. (2020). Banning English Language Teaching in Iranian Public Schools: Beneficial or Risky?. Journal of ELT Research: The Academic Journal of Studies in English Language Teaching and Learning, 5(2), 16–23. https://doi.org/10.22236/JER_Vol5Issue2pp16-23
References
-
Afkhami, G. R. (2009). The life and times of the Shah. Univ of California Press.
Borjian, M. (2013). English in post-revolutionary Iran: From indigenization to internationalization (Vol. 29). Multilingual Matters.
Aghagolzadeh, F., & Davari, H. (2014). Iranian Critical ELT: A Belated but Growing Intellectual Shift in Iranian ELT Community. Journal for Critical Education Policy Studies (JCEPS), 12(1).
Arani, J. (2004). Issues of learning EMP at university: An analysis of students' perspectives. Karan's Linguistics Issues.
British Council. (2015). English language teaching in the Islamic Republic of Iran: Innovations, trends and challenges, edited by Chris Kennedy.
Chalak, A., & Kassaian, Z. (2010). Motivation and attitudes of Iranian undergraduate EFL students towards learning English. GEMA Online® Journal of Language Studies, 10(2).
Cooke, D. (1988). Ties that constrict: English as a Trojan horse. In Awarenesses: Proceedings of the 1987 TESL Ontario Conference (pp. 56-62).
Dahmardeh, M., & Hunt, M. (2012). Motivation and English language teaching in Iran. Studies in Literature and Language, 5(2), 36.
Ekstam, J. M., & Sarvandy, E. (2017). English Language Teaching in Iran: Tradition versus Modernity. Chinese Journal of Applied Linguistics, 40(1), 112-119.
Isik, A. (2008). Linguistic imperialism and foreign language teaching. The Journal of Asia TEFL, 5(1), 123-144.
Hanson, B. (1983). The "Westoxication” of Iran: Depictions and Reactions of Behrangi, Ä€l-e Ahmad, and ShariÊ¿ati. International Journal of Middle East Studies, 15(1), 1-23.
Khajavy, G. H., Ghonsooly, B., Hosseini Fatemi, A., & Choi, C. W. (2016). Willingness to communicate in English: A microsystem model in the Iranian EFL classroom context. Tesol Quarterly, 50(1), 154-180.
Kazemi Malekmahmudi, M., & Kazemi Malekmahmudi, S. (2018). Attitude of Iranian Students towards Learning the English Language. Journal of Clinical and Basic Research, 2(2), 35-39.
Krashen, S. (2003). Developing academic language: Some hypotheses. studies, 2004, 2007.
Crystal, D. (1997). English as a global language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Matin, M. (2007). The relationship between attitudes and orientation toward English learning and preferences in the use of language learning strategies. Unpublished master's thesis). Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.
Pennycook, A. (2016). Politics, power relationships and ELT. In The Routledge handbook of English language teaching (pp. 44-55). Routledge.
Phillipson, R. (2012). Linguistic imperialism. The Encyclopedia of applied linguistics, 1-7.
Pishghadam, R., & Naji Meidani, E. (2011). Culture and education: Bringing to light the views of Iranian students of English, French and Arabic majors towards learning and teaching. International Journal of Innovative Interdisciplinary Research, 2, 21-35.
Reynolds, A. (2016). Lessons learned: teaching English in Iran May 1, 2016.Retrieved from: https://www.lostwithpurpose.com/lessons-learned-teaching-english-iran/
Rahimi, M., & Hassani, M. (2012). Attitude towards EFL textbooks as a predictor of attitude towards learning English as a foreign language. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 31, 66-72.
Rassouli, A., & Osam, N. (2019). English Language Education Throughout Islamic Republic Reign in Iran: Government Policies and People's Attitudes. SAGE Open, 9(2), 2158244019858435.
Sadeghi, K., & Richards, J. C. (2016). The idea of English in Iran: An example from Urmia. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 37(4), 419-434.
Strain, J. E. (1971). English Language Instruction in Iran. English Record, 21(4), 31-38.
Taguchi, T., Magid, M., & Papi, M. (2009). The L2 motivational self-system among Japanese, Chinese and Iranian learners of English: A comparative study. Motivation, language identity and the L2 self, 36, 66-97.
Yadollahi (2017). What is the most studied foreign language in Iran? November, 2017 Retrieved from: https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-most-studied-foreign-language-in-Iran-1
References
Afkhami, G. R. (2009). The life and times of the Shah. Univ of California Press.
Borjian, M. (2013). English in post-revolutionary Iran: From indigenization to internationalization (Vol. 29). Multilingual Matters.
Aghagolzadeh, F., & Davari, H. (2014). Iranian Critical ELT: A Belated but Growing Intellectual Shift in Iranian ELT Community. Journal for Critical Education Policy Studies (JCEPS), 12(1).
Arani, J. (2004). Issues of learning EMP at university: An analysis of students' perspectives. Karan's Linguistics Issues.
British Council. (2015). English language teaching in the Islamic Republic of Iran: Innovations, trends and challenges, edited by Chris Kennedy.
Chalak, A., & Kassaian, Z. (2010). Motivation and attitudes of Iranian undergraduate EFL students towards learning English. GEMA Online® Journal of Language Studies, 10(2).
Cooke, D. (1988). Ties that constrict: English as a Trojan horse. In Awarenesses: Proceedings of the 1987 TESL Ontario Conference (pp. 56-62).
Dahmardeh, M., & Hunt, M. (2012). Motivation and English language teaching in Iran. Studies in Literature and Language, 5(2), 36.
Ekstam, J. M., & Sarvandy, E. (2017). English Language Teaching in Iran: Tradition versus Modernity. Chinese Journal of Applied Linguistics, 40(1), 112-119.
Isik, A. (2008). Linguistic imperialism and foreign language teaching. The Journal of Asia TEFL, 5(1), 123-144.
Hanson, B. (1983). The "Westoxication” of Iran: Depictions and Reactions of Behrangi, Ä€l-e Ahmad, and ShariÊ¿ati. International Journal of Middle East Studies, 15(1), 1-23.
Khajavy, G. H., Ghonsooly, B., Hosseini Fatemi, A., & Choi, C. W. (2016). Willingness to communicate in English: A microsystem model in the Iranian EFL classroom context. Tesol Quarterly, 50(1), 154-180.
Kazemi Malekmahmudi, M., & Kazemi Malekmahmudi, S. (2018). Attitude of Iranian Students towards Learning the English Language. Journal of Clinical and Basic Research, 2(2), 35-39.
Krashen, S. (2003). Developing academic language: Some hypotheses. studies, 2004, 2007.
Crystal, D. (1997). English as a global language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Matin, M. (2007). The relationship between attitudes and orientation toward English learning and preferences in the use of language learning strategies. Unpublished master's thesis). Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.
Pennycook, A. (2016). Politics, power relationships and ELT. In The Routledge handbook of English language teaching (pp. 44-55). Routledge.
Phillipson, R. (2012). Linguistic imperialism. The Encyclopedia of applied linguistics, 1-7.
Pishghadam, R., & Naji Meidani, E. (2011). Culture and education: Bringing to light the views of Iranian students of English, French and Arabic majors towards learning and teaching. International Journal of Innovative Interdisciplinary Research, 2, 21-35.
Reynolds, A. (2016). Lessons learned: teaching English in Iran May 1, 2016.Retrieved from: https://www.lostwithpurpose.com/lessons-learned-teaching-english-iran/
Rahimi, M., & Hassani, M. (2012). Attitude towards EFL textbooks as a predictor of attitude towards learning English as a foreign language. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 31, 66-72.
Rassouli, A., & Osam, N. (2019). English Language Education Throughout Islamic Republic Reign in Iran: Government Policies and People's Attitudes. SAGE Open, 9(2), 2158244019858435.
Sadeghi, K., & Richards, J. C. (2016). The idea of English in Iran: An example from Urmia. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 37(4), 419-434.
Strain, J. E. (1971). English Language Instruction in Iran. English Record, 21(4), 31-38.
Taguchi, T., Magid, M., & Papi, M. (2009). The L2 motivational self-system among Japanese, Chinese and Iranian learners of English: A comparative study. Motivation, language identity and the L2 self, 36, 66-97.
Yadollahi (2017). What is the most studied foreign language in Iran? November, 2017 Retrieved from: https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-most-studied-foreign-language-in-Iran-1
Borjian, M. (2013). English in post-revolutionary Iran: From indigenization to internationalization (Vol. 29). Multilingual Matters.
Aghagolzadeh, F., & Davari, H. (2014). Iranian Critical ELT: A Belated but Growing Intellectual Shift in Iranian ELT Community. Journal for Critical Education Policy Studies (JCEPS), 12(1).
Arani, J. (2004). Issues of learning EMP at university: An analysis of students' perspectives. Karan's Linguistics Issues.
British Council. (2015). English language teaching in the Islamic Republic of Iran: Innovations, trends and challenges, edited by Chris Kennedy.
Chalak, A., & Kassaian, Z. (2010). Motivation and attitudes of Iranian undergraduate EFL students towards learning English. GEMA Online® Journal of Language Studies, 10(2).
Cooke, D. (1988). Ties that constrict: English as a Trojan horse. In Awarenesses: Proceedings of the 1987 TESL Ontario Conference (pp. 56-62).
Dahmardeh, M., & Hunt, M. (2012). Motivation and English language teaching in Iran. Studies in Literature and Language, 5(2), 36.
Ekstam, J. M., & Sarvandy, E. (2017). English Language Teaching in Iran: Tradition versus Modernity. Chinese Journal of Applied Linguistics, 40(1), 112-119.
Isik, A. (2008). Linguistic imperialism and foreign language teaching. The Journal of Asia TEFL, 5(1), 123-144.
Hanson, B. (1983). The "Westoxication” of Iran: Depictions and Reactions of Behrangi, Ä€l-e Ahmad, and ShariÊ¿ati. International Journal of Middle East Studies, 15(1), 1-23.
Khajavy, G. H., Ghonsooly, B., Hosseini Fatemi, A., & Choi, C. W. (2016). Willingness to communicate in English: A microsystem model in the Iranian EFL classroom context. Tesol Quarterly, 50(1), 154-180.
Kazemi Malekmahmudi, M., & Kazemi Malekmahmudi, S. (2018). Attitude of Iranian Students towards Learning the English Language. Journal of Clinical and Basic Research, 2(2), 35-39.
Krashen, S. (2003). Developing academic language: Some hypotheses. studies, 2004, 2007.
Crystal, D. (1997). English as a global language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Matin, M. (2007). The relationship between attitudes and orientation toward English learning and preferences in the use of language learning strategies. Unpublished master's thesis). Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.
Pennycook, A. (2016). Politics, power relationships and ELT. In The Routledge handbook of English language teaching (pp. 44-55). Routledge.
Phillipson, R. (2012). Linguistic imperialism. The Encyclopedia of applied linguistics, 1-7.
Pishghadam, R., & Naji Meidani, E. (2011). Culture and education: Bringing to light the views of Iranian students of English, French and Arabic majors towards learning and teaching. International Journal of Innovative Interdisciplinary Research, 2, 21-35.
Reynolds, A. (2016). Lessons learned: teaching English in Iran May 1, 2016.Retrieved from: https://www.lostwithpurpose.com/lessons-learned-teaching-english-iran/
Rahimi, M., & Hassani, M. (2012). Attitude towards EFL textbooks as a predictor of attitude towards learning English as a foreign language. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 31, 66-72.
Rassouli, A., & Osam, N. (2019). English Language Education Throughout Islamic Republic Reign in Iran: Government Policies and People's Attitudes. SAGE Open, 9(2), 2158244019858435.
Sadeghi, K., & Richards, J. C. (2016). The idea of English in Iran: An example from Urmia. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 37(4), 419-434.
Strain, J. E. (1971). English Language Instruction in Iran. English Record, 21(4), 31-38.
Taguchi, T., Magid, M., & Papi, M. (2009). The L2 motivational self-system among Japanese, Chinese and Iranian learners of English: A comparative study. Motivation, language identity and the L2 self, 36, 66-97.
Yadollahi (2017). What is the most studied foreign language in Iran? November, 2017 Retrieved from: https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-most-studied-foreign-language-in-Iran-1