Over the past several decades English has become the de facto lingua franca of globalization, a phenomenon taken up by a growing number of researchers in English linguistics and English-as-a-second language (ESL) studies. Braj Kachru, David Crystal and Sandra Lee McKay are just a few of the well-known scholars who have been involved in this area. There are also entire journals, such as World Englishes and English Today, devoted solely to the study of English across cultures.

Part Ⅰ English in Asia: Past, present and future

 Imperialism and the imperialism of English

 Variation in English: Speaking, writing, literacy (practices) and language change

 English in Asia: Access, accents and attitudes

 Framing the future of English in Asia: Local practices, virtualspaces and global forces

Part Ⅱ Language and culture contact in Asian educational settings

 Activity Theory: A framework for illuminating the socioctiltural complexity of

engaging with a new academic community of practice

 Package teaching: Linguistic systems and situational contexts of a second language

 Developing Chinese students' learner autonomy in cultural context

 Culture and classroom interaction: Language socialization of Japanese students

Part Ⅲ Adaptation to English academic communities: Asian students in New Zealand

 English as cultural capital in the decision to study abroad

 Strategies for Asian students learning in a target language environment : Patterns of success

 Access to the English speaking academic community: The role of learners, teachers,

and policy in language development

 Issues for postgraduate East Asian students accessing academic discourse communities

 Tracking academic performance: A qualitative approach

 Delivering effective language support after university admission