THE GLOBAL STATUS OF ENGLISH AS AN IMPETUS FOR BOTTOM-UP ENGLISH LANGUAGE PLANNING: An Inquiry Conducted among Master’s I Computer Science Students at the University of Tlemcen

Abstract

seems to rather suggest that language planning decisions be taken from a higher level (government agencies) and imposed on the language planning targets (language learning students) through the implementation of the language curriculum designed by the education system. This research will stress the responsibility of students in language planning, arguing that the students who seem to be traditionally considered as mere language learners can, if need be, become independent or partially so language planning actors. It might be assumed that the purpose of the research is already stated; but, still, it is of importance, before moving on, to touch on the real raison d’être of the present research. There is a common knowledge that English, as stated earlier, is nowadays enjoying a global status which makes it a language of, among others, international trade, intercultural exchanges, technological development, and international science. It is those global advantages that the language is carrying with it that are making individuals who do not have command of it feel the needs which are to be met by only enhancing their English language skills. Consequently, they personally engage in language planning decision making aimed at enhancing their English language skills in order to then integrate the global world whose working language in many domains, including the science and technology, is English.