English education in a globalized world: uncovering new themes and research gaps for the 21st century
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the intersection of English and education through a systematic review of academic literature. It focuses on identifying key research themes and future research areas, particularly in sustainable teaching and learning practices within the field of English education.
Design/methodology/approach
This study analyzed 84 papers published between May 2000 and May 2024 using a bibliometric approach. Keyword co-occurrence analysis was used to identify clusters of research themes. These clusters helped in categorizing research areas and provided a systematic overview of the current literature in English education.
Findings
This study identified four distinct research clusters that represent core themes in English education research. These themes informed the development of a research agenda focusing on areas that require further exploration, particularly in sustainable teaching and learning practices. This study also examined the theoretical and practical implications of these themes.
Practical implications
The findings provide educators and policymakers with a framework to prioritize research efforts, allocate resources and develop strategies to enhance sustainable teaching and learning practices in English education.
Social implications
By emphasizing the importance of sustainability in teaching and learning, this study promotes educational practices that contribute to long-term improvements in both student outcomes and teacher development. It identifies opportunities for sustainable growth in English education that benefit diverse learners.
Originality/value
To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to apply a bibliometric approach to systematically review the intersection of English and education. By identifying core research clusters and creating a research agenda, this study contributes new insights into sustainable practices in English education.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to the German Jordanian University for its unwavering support throughout this research. Special thanks are due to the School of Applied Humanities and Social Sciences for providing the necessary resources and facilities to conduct this study. The authors also appreciate the assistance from the university library staff, whose support was crucial in accessing and managing the literature. The authors heartfelt thanks go to their colleagues and mentors at the university for their insightful feedback and encouragement during the research process. Additionally, the authors acknowledge the use of AI-based tools to enhance the clarity and quality of language in this manuscript.
Authors’ contributions: Thelal Eqab Oweis conceptualized the study, designed the methodology, and performed the bibliometric analysis. They coordinated the writing of the manuscript, including drafting and revising sections, and provided substantial revisions and final edits. Additionally, Thelal Eqab Oweis assisted in the literature review process, analyzed keyword co-occurrence data, and contributed theoretical insights. They also supported the interpretation of findings, discussed practical implications, and reviewed the manuscript for clarity and coherence.
Funding: No funded.
Competing interests/Conflict of interest statement: The author declares that there are no conflicts of interest associated with this publication. There was no financial or personal support that could have influenced the outcome of this research.
Disclosure statement: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Citation
Oweis, T. (2024), "English education in a globalized world: uncovering new themes and research gaps for the 21st century", English Teaching: Practice & Critique, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/ETPC-09-2024-0135
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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