Dangerous Liaison: Globalization, Empire and TESOL

Abstract

The central thesis of this chapter is simple and straightforward: the contemporary world is being inexorably restructured by the forces of globalization and empire, which together are shaping the global fl ows of interested knowledge, hegemonic power, and cultural capital. English, in its role as the global language, creates, refl ects and spreads the import and the imagery of the global fl ows. The forces of globalization, empire and English are intricately interconnected. Operating at the intersection where the three meet, TESOL professionals, knowingly or unknowingly,play a role in the service of global corporations as well as imperial powers. What is required to mitigate the intended and unintended consequences of the dangerous liaison between globalization, empire and TESOL is no less than transformative restructuring of major aspects of TESOL.