English language instruction as an academic field

Romulo Alegre - Senior Language Instructor at USJ and is currently pursuing his PhD in English. He taught the English language in Guangzhou, Saudi Arabia and the Philippines.

In an earlier article, I put forward that Macau is in a unique role to establish itself as a teacher training hub for Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL).   This, I contended, is indubitably viable given Macau’s overflowing financial resource which can be directed towards investment in the knowledge industry that does not require large space or gigantic infrastructures. 
I suggested that tertiary institutions in Macau may offer English as a major in the field of education and include TESL as a postgraduate degree for those who are already teaching. I proffered further that if Macau will take this initiative, it will not only be assured of numerous prospective clients to begin with but will also be able to contribute significantly to the dearth of English language teachers in a region that is home to the most number of eager English language learners.
Will Macau hear the beckoning of a timely call? Will it be up to the challenge?
In the event that Macau will act and bravely take the cudgels that will propel itself to a moving force on English language teaching in this part of the world, I submit that Macau’s linguistic philosophy be wholly anchored on English language instruction as an academic field. The eventual formation of an encompassing curricular framework should be based on and carried out with an all-embracing adherence to the basic principles of educational instruction, giving this discipline a rightful place alongside other fields within the academe.
What then should the underlying principles be with this assertion?  Let me tender a few, the rest can be had through language forums I hope to see happening in the near future.
Primarily, English language teachers must be trained educators.  As such, they should be adept on the different approaches, methodologies and strategies needed in instructing a group of learners.  For instance, would be-teachers of the English language who will receive teacher training will be learned persons proficient about foundations of education, classroom management, learner needs, assessment, etc.
These would-be teachers, consequently, will have the right perspective and correct appreciation of what language instruction is. They will come to understand, for example, that speaking is not the be-all in language teaching – that being able to speak the target language may consummate language instruction but knowledge of educational principles and techniques is crucial to effective teaching.
Furthermore, English language teaching has seen rapid transition.  The current scenario is no longer beholden to the purist and structured teaching of the language, owing significantly to the rise of second or foreign speakers of the English language.  Recent studies on this field point to coining of different acronyms such as ESL (English as a Second Language), EFL (English as a Foreign Language), EIL (English as an International Language) and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and to the many approaches and methodologies that have emerged as a result.
Future teachers of the English language need to be aware of this through teacher training.  They have to if they want to be successful in this field. 
These would-be mentors ought to immerse themselves into understanding cross-cultural nuances and recognizing the importance of linguistic interdependence in any given language exchange.  They must be able to execute relevant learning processes that take into account real-world English use and how to facilitate best the acquisition of a target language that befits purposive communication.
This vision for Macau is colossal. The challenge to educators here is both massive and arduous.  But did Macau not rise to a colossal test ten years ago and built itself as an enormous tourist hub? And aren’t educators the best individuals we turn to for thought-provoking experimentation?

©MDTimes/ University of Saint Joseph (formerly Macau Inter-University Institute, IIUM)