Language for social change

Why integrating global issues into English Language Teaching and going beyond the textbook is becoming increasingly important

Some actors use the medium to create awareness about social issues and make viewers think. Similarly, teachers too have a social responsibility. They teach not only a particular subject assigned to them, but also enable students to think and act. As linguist, activist and one of the most influential modern thinkers Noam Chomsky says “If you think there is a serious problem and you know that you can do something about it, then, it follows on simple ethical grounds that you should do what you can do — which means become an activist.” There have been debates on whether English language teachers (ELTs) should teach only the language and thus enable students to become proficient in it, or whether they have a greater role to play — should teachers discuss real-world issues and help students become aware of what is happening around them? Should ELTs enable students to become critical thinkers and, thus, agents of social change? For example, should teachers discuss how the Corona pandemic has affected the lives and livelihood of thousands of people across the country, and whether governments have failed to protect the lives of ordinary people? Is it important to include various social and global issues in ELT?