Language Policy

A critical look at language policies, how they are implemented and the hidden agendas which often lie behind them, drawing on examples from the US and UK and showing what the consequences are for the people involved.

Elana Shohamy is affiliated with the University of Tel Aviv. She is a major figure in international applied linguistics circles and right at the top of the language policy and testing fields. She founded and co-edits a new joournal: Language Policy (Kluwer), has co-authored several books on language policy and recently published an important book on testing: The Power of Tests: critical perspectives on the uses of language tests (Pearson, 2001).

Part 1 Part I Language, manipulations, policy; Chapter 1 Expanding language; Chapter 2 Manipulating languages; Chapter 3 Expanding language policy; Part 2 Part II Mechanisms affecting de facto language policies; Chapter 4 Rules and regulations; Chapter 5 Language education policies; Chapter 6 Language tests; Chapter 7 Language in the public space; Part 3 Part III Consequences and reactions; Chapter 8 Consequences; Chapter 9 Reactions; Epilogue: Language as a free commodity; Bibliography; Index;