ABSTRACT
Southeast Asia (SEA) extends over a large maritime and continental area with diversity in demography, religions and languages. Before the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines had formed ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN 1967). ASEAN chose English as the only official and working language and its practices have created a push inside its member states to promote English for all citizens. In order to compare the development of English between the countries of SEA and to have an understanding of the ASEAN region, Kachru’s Three Circle Model is normally used. And while English is the accepted working language, a number of European countries are making efforts to promote their national languages in a multiplicity of ways. ASEAN opted for English-only as its working language without discussion, a decision that was formalized in its charter in 2007.
