Persian-Speaking Teachers’ Perspectives on Methods and Materials for Teaching English as an International Language

Abstract

Despite the global spread of English, it seems that voices from Persian-speaking teachers concerning English as an international language (EIL) teaching methods and materials are underrepresented. The present study set out to explore how nonnative Persian-speaking English language teachers respond to the increasing global dominance of EIL and native- and non-native-speakers’ language norms within the general paradigm of ELT. Questionnaires and interviews were used to explore 210 teachers’ beliefs about language teaching materials and methods in the context of EIL. Findings showed that the teachers noticed the need to expose English language learners to both native and nonnative varieties of English. Furthermore, the teachers acknowledged the significance of using standard English for language instruction. They seemed to be open to nonnative varieties of English, as they expressed their concern for what is communicatively acceptable. Findings contribute to our understanding of requisite language pedagogy in the EIL context.