At the invitation of the School of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Assoc. Prof. Will Baker—Director of the Centre for Global Englishes at the University of Southampton—presented two lectures on June 6th in Room A308 of Qinling Hall, Yuzhong Campus. Chaired by Assoc. Prof. Han Chao, the events drew participation from faculty and students.

Lecture 1: “English Globalization and Its’ Impact on English Language Teaching”

Baker analyzed the dynamic relationship between English and globalization, addressing opportunities and inequities arising from the language’s global dominance. He critiqued Anglocentric curriculum design and assessment frameworks, advocating recognition of Global Englishes’ diversity to foster inclusive, contextually relevant pedagogy.

 Lecture 2: “Global Englishes in Transcultural and Supercultural Communication”

Examining English as a Lingua Franca (ELF), Baker explored its role as a medium for intercultural exchange and theoretical advancements in transcultural communication. His discussion highlighted paradigm shifts in linguistic research and teaching practices, emphasizing the need to integrate multilingual and digitally mediated perspectives.

Post-lecture exchanges centered on pedagogical applications of World Englishes, the evolving role of non-native English-speaking educators, and strategies for developing intercultural competence. The forum advanced discussions on equitable language education in globalized contexts.