Coordinator: Dr. Victoria Tuzlukova

Abstract:

The research group English in Oman’s academia aims to explore the place and role of English in the linguistic and sociocultural context of Oman’s academia, broadly understood as an environment and community concerned with the pursuit of education, research and scholarship. It is broadly “the life, community and world of teachers, school and education” (Britannica dictionary, n.d., n.p.). 
There is no doubt that English is the central language for academia, across disciplines. In spite of the rise of research in other international languages such as German, French, Cantonese and Arabic, English remains ubiquitous in terms of range and depth, particularly in the digital sphere. In scholarly publications, English is considered to be the language of science in academia (Crystal, 2003 cited in Ozdemir, 2014, p.74). Publishing in English ensures wider readership, facilitates international collaboration and offers opportunities for comparative research. This research group aims to explore the gaps, challenges and opportunities in the use of English for Academic Purposes in Oman. 
Oman’s higher education setting recognizes this focus as English appears to have presence as a medium of instruction in most institutions, or is a mandatory subject in Arabic medium colleges. It is also the language of oral and written academic discourse, as well as formal and non-formal communication across the public and private sector. Yet, there is no sustained body of work available on the role and place of English in Oman’s academic community. The body of available work on English in Oman is relatively small, especially when compared to other Gulf countries where numerous issues related to the English language have received a great deal of investigative attention. Although, in recent years, there have been growing numbers of scholars writing about English in Oman, their work tends to be scattered in international journals, online publications, or included in edited volumes on MENA countries. Therefore, English in Oman is captivating for a socio-linguistic study. 
This research group will continue from its initial work which was a general overview of the linguistic and socio-cultural context of English in Oman, focusing on the further expansion of the English-mediated environments and types of discourse that the language embodies, in an article ‘English in Oman’ (Tuzlukova & Mehta, 2023) to be published in The Blackwell Encyclopedia of World Englishes. Future research activities will focus on several aspects of the English language presence in the academic context of the Sultanate of Oman. Special attention will be paid to English as a medium of instruction [EMI] in higher educational institutions and English as a language of academic and non-academic oral and written communication across a wide array of research cultures and subject areas. In addition, the visibility of English in the linguistic landscape of Oman’s academia, namely, the degree of its presence, practical value for students, academic and non-academic staff, students’ exposure to linguistic information, will be focused upon. 
The research group will focus on documenting and facilitating better connections between English language instruction (teaching and learning) and Oman 2040 vision. As stated in a study by Ter-Minasova (2001), language, communication and culture represent an inseparable triad, and all these aspects should be targeted when attempts are sought to come up with meaningful perspectives of English in Oman’s academia through open discussions, interdisciplinary dialogue, and research. This will help to better understand the role of English as a tool that can enhance human resource performance and acquisition of knowledge, experiences and skills needed in the labor market.