University of Kelaniya

Department of English Language Teaching

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Teaching English

as a Second Language

TESL 32573 Varieties of English

Rusiru K. Chitrasena

1
Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the course, students will be able to:

 identify varieties of English
 conduct linguistic analysis of standard and non-standard varieties of English across a
range of discourses, registers and discuss implications for TESL
 conduct linguistic analysis of standard and nonstandard varieties of English
 discuss the implications of linguistic variation for teaching English as lingua franca
 examine and analyze English in Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan English(es) and their pedagogical
implications

Course outline:

Week 1 Course Overview and Parameters of language variation

Week 2-3 The role of English as a global language and the paradigm of World Englishes

Week 4 Accents, Dialects and Varieties and Standards of English

Week 5 English as a lingua franca Session
Week6 Variation in English across Genres and Discourses
Week 7 English language in (South) Asia and (South Asian) Englishes
Week 8 Varieties of English in the ELT Classroom: Theories and Concepts
Week 9 English in Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan English(es)
Week 10 Varieties of English in the ELT Classroom: Classroom Applications
Week 11 Varieties of English in the ELT Classroom: Classroom Applications
Week 12 Changing Standards
Week 13 Trends and Issues in Researching World Englishes
Week 14 Using corpora to research World Englishes
Methods of teaching:

Input and  Lectures, discussions, workshops

guided  Reading
independent  Reflection
learning  Online discussions
Self-study  Online and library research
 Listening to videos and podcasts

Formative

Week 2-14 Informal class presentations Weight Oral feedback

Week 2- 14 Pop Quizzes 0% Oral feedback
Week 1-14 Participation in class discussions 0% Oral feedback
and activities

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Summative

Poster Presentations (group) 15% Grade/ Written

feedback
Individual Assignment (take home 15% Grade/ Written
feedback
Reflective journal (of participation 10% Grade/ Written
and self-learning) feedback
End of Semester Examination 60% Grade
(written)

Indicative Reading:

Crystal, D. (2017). English as a global language. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Freeborn, D. et al. Varieties of English. (1993). Basingstoke: Macmillan.

Fromkin, V. A, Rodman, R, & Hyams, N. (2010) An Introduction to Language. 9th edition. Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth. (Note: Any earlier edition should be fine)

Gunesekera, M. (2010). The Postcolonial Identity of Sri Lankan English, Colombo: Vijitha Yapa Publishers

Hughes, A., Trudgill, P. & Watt, D. (2012). English accents & dialects: an introduction to social and
regional varieties of English in the British Isles. London: Hodder Education.

Janet Holmes. (2008). An Introduction to Sociolinguistics. Harlow: Longman

Jenkins, J. (2009). World Englishes: A Resource book for Students. 2nd edition. London: Routledge.

Kirkpatrick, A. (2007). World Englishes: implications for international communication and English
Language Teaching. Cambridge: CUP.

O' Grady, W. (2010). Contemporary linguistics: an introduction. Boston, Mass: Bedford: St. Martins.

Parakrama, Arjuna. De-Hegemonizing Language Standards: Learning from (Post) Colonial Englishes about
‘English.’ New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1995.

Pennycook, A. (2003). The cultural politics of English as an international language. Harlow: Pearson
Education.

Wardhaugh, R. (2010). An Introduction to Sociolinguistics. 6th edition. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.