How does the global expansion of English and the pressures of international markets fundamentally alter the objectives and methodologies of language instruction? David Block and Deborah Cameron examine the intersection of neoliberal economic policies and the pedagogical practices of language teaching. They argue that the commodification of language in a globalized world creates new tensions between linguistic diversity and the demand for standardized communication tools. The authors utilize sociolinguistic analysis to demonstrate how global forces reshape classroom dynamics and teacher-student relationships.

Experts in applied linguistics recognize this text as a critical contribution to the study of language policy and globalization. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose and its utility for researchers investigating the intersection of economics and education.