‘To be consulted, to encourage and to warn'

This chapter discusses research studies on the educational role of the English language in developing countries, commissioned by the British Council (BC). The core of the chapter explores three case studies, from Indonesia in Southeast Asia, Gabon in Central Africa and Pakistan in South Asia. The BC's motivations for commissioning the studies, the methods employed and the findings are discussed briefly. Importantly, each research report was required to include recommendations. Stakeholders’ reactions to the recommendations form the starting point for a more detailed discussion of ‘impact.’ The chapter concludes with observations on why impact varies from one context to another. Throughout, I provide some tentative guidance and suggestions to others working in similar contexts.