Title: A Strategic Analysis of American Language Promotion Overseas after WWII

Abstract: The United States became the most powerful country in the world in the aftermath of World War II, with its political power, economic might, military strength and global influence drastically increased, which provided a solid foundation and favorable condition for its promotion of American English overseas. The United States regarded its promotion of American English from the perspective the of national security in order to serve its global strategy and national interest. As such, the United States adopted comprehensive, multi-dimensional and multi-channel tactics and measures in its promotion of American English overseas. Such tactics and measures mainly include but are not limited to: first, establishing institutional support through legislation and establishment of designated agencies and programs; second, combining language promotion with cultural exchange to facilitate public diplomacy; third, encouraging international cooperation and the participation of non-governmental agencies; fourth, establishing TESOL as an academic discipline to enhance the status and professionalism of TESOL; fifth, optimizing teaching methods, teaching support, standardized test, and scholarships, along with time and technological progress. The United States’ promotion of American English overseas since the end of World War II is mainly characterized by indirectness. Its promotion of American English overseas is of political and economic nature, not only bringing about enormous political gains and economic benefits, but also greatly increasing its soft power. In a word, such promotion has achieved its strategic objective.

Keywords: American English, overseas promotion, strategy, effects  

Author: Qikeng Li, Professor, School of English and International Studies, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Beijing, China.