Foreign Language Learning in a Welfare Linguistics Framework

This chapter outlines language learning in a welfare linguistics framework. It draws on two axioms of welfare economics according to which (1) profit for society can be maximized by (2) balancing out consumer and producer interests. When applying these axioms to language, the concepts of price and units of sale must be replaced by linguistic capital and norm expectations. This chapter first introduces readers to basic concepts of welfare economics and welfare linguistics, which is followed by an analysis of how structures of domination are often reproduced in language teaching and learning. The main sections discuss a welfare linguistics approach first on the societal level and then on the individual level. It outlines how a welfare linguistics framework can contribute to undoing relations of domination. Welfare linguistics is characterized by four features. It (1) identifies structures and institutions of oppression and exclusion with regard to linguistic interaction, (2) proposes dominated and excluded speakers strategies how to deal with such situations, (3) empowers dominated speakers and their ways of communicating, and (4) practices alternatives to the structures and institutions identified as inhibiting learner well-being. Welfare linguistics has an analytical prowess that allows us to study language learning, teaching, and intercultural communication from a new perspective. It provides insights on various issues such as language pedagogy, course and curriculum design, development of teaching materials, and language and language-in-education policies. Welfare linguistics has the aptitude to improve society by making it more just, egalitarian, and inclusive.

Applied linguistics · Foreign language · Linguistics · Sociology · Computer Science · EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning · Multilingual Education and Policy · Philosophy · Psychology · Second Language Learning and Teaching