The outsourcing of call-centre work to developing countries by Western companies has become a huge business. For many, it represents a positive force of globalisation, bringing not only cost benefits to…
One thing’s clear, there’s a whole lot of duckspeak afoot.
Texas A&M University-Commerce Marketing Communications Photography/Flickr
Writer Will Self grabbed headlines earlier this week by referring to George Orwell as the “Supreme Mediocrity”. He wrote: The curious thing is that while during the post-war period we’ve had many political…
Was Prince Charles correct? Are Americans destroying the English language?
EPA/Samantha Reinders
In 1995 Prince Charles caused a ruckus when he lamented the unchecked spread of American English – and the effect of American usage is one that’s perennially lamented. But is it true? Are Americans really…
Does it matter if most Massive Open Online Courses are in English?
Language image from www.shutterstock.com
For many educators, the dream feels tantalisingly close: free, quality education for everyone in the world. The arrival of Massive Open Online Courses or MOOCs led to predictions of a great new age of…
A graphic novel has been added to the year 12 English curriculum.
Graphic novel image from www.shutterstock.com
Next year, senior students in Victoria will be able to study a graphic novel, The Complete Maus, as part of the prescribed English curriculum. As a literary and artistic form, graphic novels combine the…
With English rapidly becoming a ‘global’ language, should we begin to call it something different?
EPA/Christopher Jue
English is rapidly becoming a lingua franca in international communication for commerce and trade, education, science, international relations and tourism. It is the fastest growing language in the world…