University EFL Students’ Perceptions toward Globalization of English and its Effect on their Pragmatic Competence

Abstract

This study highlights EFL university students’ perceptions toward using English as a global language and on its effect on their pragmatic competence through using global English approach. The rationale of conducting this study stemmed from the incredible involvement of this generation into technological innovations via English. The participants 66 undergraduate students were randomly selected from the English Language Department at Al-al-Bayt University in Jordan during the second semester in2019/2020. They were divided into two groups: Experimental 35  and control 31.Two instruments were developed: A questionnaire of 37 items, to measure the degree of the participants’ attitudes toward global English, and a pre-posttest to check the effect of global English approach on the students' pragmatic competence. Validity of the two instruments was ascertained. The results revealed that the students’ attitudes toward using global English were highly appreciated. The findings embedded that there were statistically significant differences at (a=0.05) between the aspects of pragmatic competence of complementing from one side and between expressing opinion and offering help from the other side in favor of complementing. It was also proved that there were statistically significant differences at (a=0.05) between the aspects of complaining from one side and between expressing opinion and offering help from the other side in favor of complaining. These results could be attributed to the effect of using global English approach. The researcher suggested some relevant recommendations.