Critical applied linguistics
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Critical applied linguistics (CALx) is an emerging interdisciplinary approach to English applied linguistics. One of the central concerns in this approach is exposing the power dynamics of mainstream applied linguistics between government, corporations and organizations. Alastair Pennycook has been particularly influential in popularising the term in his book of the same title.
For instance, in "Teaching English as a Missionary Language," Pennycook raises the issue of the deteriorating separation between church and state in the USA, and its effect on teaching English as a foreign language (EFL) where private language school employees may be more interested in gaining religious converts rather than teaching English.
In this example, we see the dynamic between US State Department objectives (i.e., creating business opportunites for American businesses) using a religious organization's objectives (i.e., exposing people to Christianity) to foster the growth of corporatism (i.e., the corporate language school).
