Babylonia has published a series of thematic issues about languages spoken in Switzerland. Earlier issues include the editions on the national languages: Romansh (3/98), French (3/99), Italian (2/00) and German (2/01). With the present edition the horizon is being extended to another language. For obvious reasons it is now the turn for English, since its role as a world language is also felt in Switzerland. English, however, has also given rise to a fierce language policy discussion in this country.
With this edition of Babylonia, we hope to offer our readers, in particular teachers, administrators, politicians and researchers, an edition which highlights the most important aspects of the English issue, but at the same time, gives ample space to the traditional didactic contributions.
After the views expressed by two Swiss politicians, Brunschwig Graf and Carlo Schmid-Sutter, the following issues are addressed:
• Theme 1: The development of English as a world language and its significance as important lingua franca in many social domains. Is English English? The English language’s global and cultural meaning with contributions by Crystal, Van Essen and Fässler).
• Theme 2: English and business: the economic meaning of the English language, the new English business certificates and the teaching of English in vocational schools with contributions by Kleinberger Günther, Reichlin and Taylor.
• Theme 3: English in Switzerland: examples of the English presence in Switzerland and its connections with local culture; English in Swiss primary schools and gymnasiums; contributions by Rudiger-Harper, Stotz, Dudli und Benvegen.
• Theme 4: English didactics: developments and examples of language teaching methodology for English as a foreign language with contributions by Taylor, Spencer, Rundell, Stoll, Boutellier & Millar, Stoks, Mani und Willis.
We wish our readers much reading pleasure and hope that the contributions to this issue will provide inspiration for their classroom practice.