Perspectives: Global Issues in EFL: Why and How

The idea that functional proficiency and communicative competence can be
attained through focusing on meaning has become widely accepted in the foreign
language teaching community. Since the learner's attention to meaning is highly
dependent upon the effective presentation of subject matter, as opposed to
language per se, a surge of interest in content-based language instruction has
resulted. This paper examines the theoretical and social rationale for using the
content theme of global issues in foreign language instruction. It also presents
information on adaptable materials related to global issues, discusses techniques
for presentation of this information, and provides brief suggestions for such
adaptations and classroom activities.