After all, not everyone has the opportunity to study English. More generally, some worry about English dominance leading to the loss of endangered languages, such as those spoken by indigenous people and immigrants living in countries where English use predominates, especially when ‘English only’ policies are adopted.

Although these varieties are generally mutually intelligible, they each have unique features. Even within a single country, such as Singapore, multiple forms of English exist—like Standard Singaporean English used in formal settings and “Singlish” used in informal conversations. This diversity raises an important question for educators: which variety of English should be taught in language instruction?

English as a Lingua Franca is a flexible, global form of English shaped by its users rather than native-speaker norms. It emphasizes communication and mutual understanding, raising important questions about ownership, teaching, and linguistic standards

Critical pedagogy is an approach to teaching that aims to create a more egalitarian society by raising awareness of social injustice as a necessary part of the curriculum.

What you should do about critical pedagogy should not be determined by someone else, who may be unfamiliar with your teaching context or your own political orientation. However, if you wish to become more ‘critical’ in your teaching, here are a few ideas that have been discussed.

This empowers students and encourages teachers to reflect on their practices and help students analyze language critically to make informed and effective language choices.

The Participatory Approach is demonstrated through a classroom where the teacher begins with open dialogue about students’ real-life experiences and concerns, using those personal and social issues Such as family struggles, housing problems, and safety to guide the lesson content and promote meaningful, relevant language learning.