This talk focuses on global voices and international speech communities, diverse contexts to which learners can easily relate. We then discuss the concept of “transcultural flows” i.e. how cultural forms can evolve in disparate ways in today’s globalised world. We will cover areas such as hip-hop and football, seeing how these global phenomena can be reinvented by practitioners and fans and thus transcend cultural and national boundaries.  We will suggest that something similar happens with English and those who speak it. Rather than present the language as a monolithic standardized code, it follows then that we should celebrate its diverse voices, registers and genres.

Go with the transcultural flow website handout

go with the transcultural flow powerpoint abridged

Intercultural awareness and plurilingualism are central concerns of the Common European Framework, challenging the way ‘target culture’ is traditionally treated in ELT materials. This practical talk looks at research into learner autobiographies and the conclusions that can be drawn from students’ observations about their own language learning. It promotes the use of global and local topics and learner-generated tasks in which students are encouraged to seek out a space where they can fashion their own voice and vision of English.

Fashioning an intercultural voice handout2011

Click here to see an abridged version of the powerpoint