World Englishes and Applied Linguistics

The paper discusses World Englishes (WEs) in the applied linguistics profession for the most part accepts multiple varieties of English as legitimate and worthy of study even if legitimacy remains the object of inquiry. Consistent with the value applied linguistics place on WE, English is taught and learned in many countries because it is an international language. English is seen as a means to open doors to parts of the world that are not accessible to them otherwise and learners are fascinated by the increased international opportunities they believe the knowledge of English will bring to them. The international scope of learners’ English learning agenda should logically be matched by pedagogical approaches that teach EIL in part through inclusion of varieties of WEs. However, examinations of ELT practices reveal that English is still being taught as an inner-circle language, based almost with characters and cultural topics from the English speaking countries of the inner-circle. Issues associated with teaching English as an inner-circle language versus EIL need to be clarified if concrete changes are to be brought about in the way English is portrayed, valued, and taught in expanding ciecle countries where it is not the native language of the majority or an official language. Taking into account an interesting but at the same time controversial debate about the status of English in its varieties, which are commonly called WEs and the opposing ideas, it is aimed to present an overview of these discussions, together with some examples. Three concentric circles, the Interlanguage theory, Standard English and English as a Lingua France (ELF) were paid special attention while touching upon the controversial debates on World Englishes. Moreover, following these discussions on WEs, EIL and Applied Linguistics, some answers were provided regarding the questions on teaching and teacher education, seeing that the uses of English internationally are not just related to the Expanding Circle, but also they include native speakers as well as members of the Outer Circle