Perspectives on English in Switzerland

Abstract

In the context of this volume, which focusses on the position of English in the context of multilingual Switzerland, the characteristics of English as an international language and lingua franca are discussed and its position in teaching and education. This introductory chapter provides background information to contextualize the contributions in the volume. To do so, it outlines key developments in research into English in Switzerland and sketches the multilingual situation in Switzerland. It then proceeds to give an overview of the development of English as a world language and the domains of its use in Switzerland. This contribution argues that, like the world-wide spread of English, the use of English in Switzerland is now motivated both by pressure from international business and by the demands of language users.