The Value of English in Global Mobility and Higher Education: An Investigation of Higher Education in Cyprus

This book explores the dynamics of the English language in higher education in Cyprus, focusing on the value of English from Marxist and Bourdieusean perspectives and critiquing alternative paradigms of English expansion. It argues that English is a marketable attribute that perpetuates global structural and social inequality, exposing the myth of class advancement through English.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 13 January 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This book provides a unique insight into the dynamics of the English language in higher education in Cyprus, particularly through the lens of universities situated on both sides of its geopolitical division. It takes an original perspective on the value of English in the context of the sociolinguistics and political economy of English as a global language and as an apparent commodified entity. The book addresses problematic issues of value as they apply to language from Marxist and Bourdieusean perspectives. Additionally, it offers a helpful critique of alternative paradigms of English expansion, such as ELF (English as a Lingua Franca), and their shortcomings in terms of understanding the concept of value.

Manuela Vida-Mannl critically examines the marketization of English and the complicity of higher education in reproducing linguistic hierarchies and social inequalities in Cyprus and, by extension, in broader contexts. She challenges the notion that proficiency in English is a prerequisite for social advancement and presents a conception of English as a marketable attribute that does not necessarily require competence. This book sheds light on the ongoing imbrication of English in the reproduction of global structural and social inequality, as it exposes the myth of class advancement through English.

Drawing on extensive research, including 205 questionnaires and 25 subsequent in-depth ethnographic interviews, the book explores the value of English within the unique context of divided Cyprus. It uncovers an intriguing perspective on the neoliberal role and significance of the English language in our globalized world. The book emphasizes the importance of recognizing the multifaceted dimensions of English as a tool for social mobility, cultural exchange, and economic opportunities, while also acknowledging the potential risks and challenges associated with its dominance.

Overall, this book offers a valuable contribution to the study of English language in higher education, particularly in the context of divided societies. It provides a nuanced understanding of the complex relationships between language, power, and social inequality and sheds light on the ways in which English continues to shape and influence global discourse and practices.

Weight: 536g
Dimension: 163 x 241 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350230958