Contexts of Learning, Priorities for Research

This chapter provides a theoretical yet practical grounding for the book by exploring language education policy and planning addressed to Chinese as a second language. The focus is acquisition planning theory from classical language policy studies informed by relevant issues of geo-strategic concern and diaspora studies. These three sources of knowledge will form a coherent base of identifying the characteristics of Chinese as a second language within public policy across English speaking settings in particular, with some reference to the policy determinations for Chinese within other geographic areas, and taking into consideration the vast expanse of the Belt and Road Initiative of the People’s Republic of China and the language spread repercussions, both intended and not intended, of the BRI. These lead to the question of the global status of Chinese and its relation to global English, examined using language spread theory. The role of Chinese the various jurisdictions that are linked culturally, strategically and in large population to the PRC are also discussed (Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore).