English Language Ideology Reproduction and Revision by "Native" Speaking Teachers in South Korean Classrooms more

Sat, Apr 30, 14:30-Tue, May 31, 23:55 Asia/Seoul

Since the 1970s, South Korean schools and universities have hired “native" speakers to aid with English education. Researchers have examined the results of this decision at the level of the classroom; however, little is known about the role these teachers play in English language ideology formation and reproduction among the citizens of South Korea. This paper fills this gap through an examination of the representation and valuation of the English language by “native" speaking teachers working in South Korea. Data from interviews with English language teachers, focus groups with "native" speaking English teachers, and classroom observations of classes taught by "native" speaking English teachers were analyzed using Wortham and Reyes’ (2015) discourse analytical approach. Results showed that teachers upheld and reproduced both local and global ideologies of English, by locating English as either internal or external to Korea, juxtaposing English with “modern Western” values, and neutralizing the status of English. These results shed light on teachers’ role in the reproduction of local and global English ideologies and the global spread of English.