The Hidden Curriculum and Internationalization in EFL: A Call for Heightened Criticality

Authors

  • Charles Brown a:1:{s:5:"en_US";s:17:"Purdue University";}

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/cisr.v2i1.5386

Keywords:

EFL; English Teaching; Critical Theory; Media Studies

Abstract

The notion that English as a foreign language (EFL) education is instrumental in fostering internationalization and intercultural competencies is widespread. Governments around the world often make such claims. For example, the Taiwan Ministry of Education touts the value of English in helping Taiwanese people to become “global citizens” (Republic of China Ministry of Education, 2022). Such a stance has great intuitive appeal: Those acquiring English ability certainly are poised to expand chances to interact with others outside their own sphere. Ironically, though, ample research reveals how the hidden curriculum within EFL materials can favor powerful social groups, actually hobbling just internationalization. In light of this, I argue that habitual criticality is needed to cogently trouble EFL materials.

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Published

2023-01-31

How to Cite

Brown, C. (2023). The Hidden Curriculum and Internationalization in EFL: A Call for Heightened Criticality. Critical Internationalization Studies Review, 2(1), 32–36. https://doi.org/10.32674/cisr.v2i1.5386

Issue

Section

Critical Voices