Abstract
English has evolved into many distinct varieties due to its spread and use in intercultural communication; therefore, recognition and acceptance of its sociolinguistic reality are crucial to advancing effective communication. A considerable body of research exists on English diversity and views regarding it. However, little is known about the attitudes toward English diversity of teachers and staffs who facilitate internationalization on campus. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to explore the attitudes of 176 people including teachers and staffs working to promote internationalization in a Taiwanese university that has an international college providing degree programs for both international and local students. Both questionnaire and interview accounts were collected. The results show most participants had a positive attitude toward the sociolinguistic reality of English and slightly preferred native speaker models to non-native speaker models. Also found was a significant difference in attitude between English subject teachers and staffs. One point worth noting is the existence of a contradiction between Taiwanese English teachers’ attitudes toward English diversity and their reported teaching practices. The study results have both practical and research implications.
英語在世界各地廣被使用,並做為不同文化之間的溝通媒介,已演變出多種語體(varieties)°因此,認知及接受此一社會語言實況(sociolinguistic reality)對於增進溝通至為重要°現今已有許多研究著眼於英語的語體演變與人們對這些語體的看法,不過有關推動國際教育的教職人員對英語多種語體的態度之相關研究,則尚付闕如°本研究旨在探討此類人員對英語多種語體的看法°研究的對象是176位服務於台灣一所擁有國際學院的大學的教職人員°分析的資料透過問卷及訪談取得°結果顯示大部分的研究參與者都正面看待此社會語言實況(多種英語語體的存在),但略微偏好母語人士的英語°本研究也發現,英文教師與職員的態度明顯不同°值得注意的是本地教師的態度與其陳述的課堂教學作為有相當程度的差異°這些發現在教育與研究方面應深具意涵°.
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Acknowledgments
We would like to express our thankfulness to the colleagues and staff members who participated in this study. Our special thanks goes to the four English subject teachers and two staff members for their interview accounts. We are also grateful to the editors and reviewers for their comments and generous suggestions.
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Wang, C., Du, PC. Attitudes Toward English Diversity of Teachers and Staffs Who Help Promote Internationalization at a Taiwanese University. English Teaching & Learning 42, 95–116 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42321-018-0005-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42321-018-0005-5