ELF & BELF

ELF and BELF are two related concepts in ELT (English Language Teaching) that refer to different varieties of English. ELF stands for English as a Lingua Franca, which refers to English used as a common means of communication between speakers who have different first languages. ELF emphasizes the use of English as a tool for effective communication, rather than adherence to native speaker norms. ELF recognizes that there are many different varieties of English, and that the language is constantly evolving and adapting to new contexts and users. BELF stands for English as a Business Lingua Franca, which is a specific subset of ELF that refers to English used in a business context. BELF emphasizes the use of English as a tool for effective communication in international business contexts, where English is often used as a common language between speakers with different native languages. BELF recognizes the importance of understanding cultural differences and adapting communication strategies to suit the needs of different audiences. In ELT, both ELF and BELF are important concepts for teachers and learners to understand, as they reflect the growing importance of English as a global language and the need for effective communication across cultures and languages. Teachers who incorporate ELF and BELF into their teaching can help their students develop the language skills and cultural awareness necessary to succeed in today's globalized world.

Articles

Locating ELF in ELT by Yasemin Bayyurt and Martin Dewey
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