A research article by Takunori Terasawa, Associate Professor in the School of Sociology, has been published in the international journal World Englishes.

A research article by Takunori Terasawa, Associate Professor in the School of Sociology, has been published in the international journal World Englishes.

 

This study quantitatively examines how English proficiency varies by social origins in Japan, China, South Korea, and Taiwan, providing an international comparison of inequality in access to English. Using international survey data, the analysis shows that in all four societies English proficiency is significantly associated with parents’ educational attainment. It also finds that this inequality has not diminished despite the expansion of education in recent decades.

 

Previous studies of inequality in English learning have typically relied on case studies focusing on a single country. The novelty of this study lies in presenting evidence through a quantitative and cross-national comparison, and it is hoped that similar approaches will be developed in future research.

 

Journal: World Englishes

Title: Measuring inequality in access to English across East Asia

Author: Takunori Terasawa

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/weng.70019