영어교육 연구와 실천의 불이적 세방화 논의

A wavicular argument on glocalization of research-practice in English education

  This study presents a wavicular approach to glocalization of research-practice in English education. The author argues against the trends of globalization which tend to be unidirectional imposition of predominant Anglo-European perspectives of English language teaching. Upon critical analysis of the term glocalization, the author reveals that hidden agendas of neoliberal commercialism reside at the heart of the term itself. As a consequence, he proposes that the concept of glocalization should be reconstituted with locally sensitive attributes such as subjectivity, self-direction, critical awareness, along with that of intercultural understanding, which have been excluded in the usual value-neutral sense. Following an analysis of aspects of glocalization represented in some of keynote and plenary presentations at major English education conferences in Korea from 1997 to 2002, the author suggests the following wavicular approach to glocalization of research-practice: 1) establishing ownership of research-practice on the part of teachers, 2) reaching the state of Nirvana in research-practice, 3) accomplishing learner-centered English education through application of ‘natural’ taoistic teaching, 4) attaining the Tao awareness of teaching as language teacher, 5) developing receptivity toward students" identities, 6) fostering learner autonomy and authenticity in the learning and use of English, and 7) making students constantly cross the bridge between localness and globalness.