Their Wisdom

“knowing English is like possessing the fabled Aladdin’s lamp, which permits one to open, as

it were, the linguistic gates to international business, technology, science and travel”, Kachru (1986)

English is the language spoken commonly. This language is understood throughout the

world. If the Afghan children learn English, know English, speak English they will be able to

discuss their problems with the people of the world. (young pakistani student)

‘More English than England

itself.’ Seargeant  (2005)

teaching and learning language and literacy is not just about teaching and learning English but also about teaching and learning specific social languages. Gee (2004)

I’ve changed a lot in the last 2 months, actually. I have kind of changed my determination.

I’m not as fearful, or afraid of the future, that I won’t have a future. I’m not as afraid

now…When I was feeling negative, I felt the world doesn’t belong to me, and it’s hard to

survive here. And I felt not many people understand me, or would. I didn’t feel like I belong

to this world…But now I feel there’s nothing much to be afraid of. It really depends on how

you go about it. It’s not like the world always has power over you. It was [names of a few

chat mates and e-mail pen pals] who helped me to change and encouraged me. If I hadn’t

known them, perhaps I wouldn’t have changed so much…Yes maybe the Internet has

changed me. (interview, October 5, 1997) (p. 468)