Basic Global English Overview

Summary of video:

Issues with English learning:

• Although English is a global language, the context of learning is distinctly British or American (ex. Christmas, New Year's Eve).
• There is a great deal of idiomatic language that is not relevant or easily understood by non-native speakers. 
• There is too much focus on reproduction and not active communication.
• There is too much focus on right or wrong (errors) rather than communication. 
• Too much homogeneity rather than heterogeneity. 

The focus of Basic Global English is on acquisition of vocabulary and communicative strategies. There's less focus on grammar and pronunciation, but rather on the structures have been successful in lingua franca communication. For example, politeness and emergency situations. Communicative strategies also include checking to see if the listener understands what you've said.

The vocabulary consists of 750 words, which are frequently used and needed words, independent of any culture. Other vocabulary should be learned as sets of vocabulary that have particular relevance of the learner, to reflect the heterogeneity of the learners.

Summary of video:

Why is BGE better than immersion or teaching by a native speaker? It's not necessarily better, but it serves a specific function of communicating with a broad range of people from countries from around the world.

Acquiring native English is not necessary unless the learner wants to learn native English.