Introducing diversity of English into ELT: student teachers' responses

The growing use of English by its L2 speakers for their international communication has started to suggest a need for many changes in ELT, particularly in traditional EFL countries. One of the changes discussed among some sociolinguists is the introduction of different varieties of English from the two traditionally highly regarded varieties, i.e. standard American and standard British English, into ELT. This is to develop students’ proficiency for international communication with other L2 speakers who use different varieties. To implement this change, it would be important to provide the necessary teacher education and training. Using Japan as a typical EFL country whose ELT aims at teaching English for international communication, this paper discusses how student teachers themselves worked with a teacher education programme that recognizes the diversity in English and analyses their responses to the idea of introducing different varieties into ELT.