The International Status of English for Intercultural Understanding in

Abstract

The spread of English language throughout the world had led to its status as a global lingua franca. English language teaching (ELT) not only instructs in language, but also helps learners develop their awareness and understanding of multicultural and multiethnic societies around the world. The purpose of this study is to compare how intercultural/international issues are presented in Taiwanese English as a Foreign Language (EFL) textbooks. One set of EFL commercial textbooks at the high school level published by Taiwanese publishing houses is chosen for analysis. The methodology focuses on content analysis. Results found that the textbooks legitimate the hegemony of American English and British English as the only variety or standard form of the language