ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses research studies on the educational role of the English language in developing countries, commissioned by the British Council (BC). It explores three case studies, from Indonesia in Southeast Asia, Gabon in Central Africa and Pakistan in South Asia. The chapter describes with observations on why impact varies from one context to another. It provides some tentative guidance and suggestions to others working in similar contexts. The BC's motivation for commissioning the research was to understand more about the use of the English language in the education system, usually in line with the aim expressed in its Charter to "develop a wider knowledge of the English language" around the world. Rigorous research in this area is still limited, but what research exists has struggled to correlate English proficiency and national economic vitality, although there may be a correlation on the individual level in certain specific circumstances.