This paper discusses some of the assumptions behind the use of the terms international, global, foreign, additional language and língua franca when referring to English. Such terminology is approached from the angle of the pedagogical praxis surrounding teaching-learning English in Brazilian public schools (GIMENEZ, CALVO & EL KADRI, 2011), based on Derrida´s and Foucault´s thoughts on text and discourse, taken here as our focal point when analyzing such terminology for English language teaching. The connotations attributed to English are analyzed in their occurrence in language policy documents, international academic journals and abstracts of papers presented at a Brazilian teacher's education conference; the uses of the terms are contrasted with English as a foreign language (EFL), as has been traditionally used in Brazil.
foreign language; additional language; English; language concept; poststructuralism
