There is a rich and complex history of teaching English in India. In Learning and Teaching English in India, by Ravi Sheorey (Sage Publications, 2006), points out that in spite of India's being the third-largest English-using country after the U.S. and Great Britain, "the mechanisms for the retention and continued use of English in India are still, by and large, based on pre-independence administrative and educational traditions" (p. 15). However, as he goes on to say:

For the new generation of computer-literate middle- and upper-class young Indians, English is no longer associated with colonial overtones; they see it as a necessary vehicle for upward and onward mobility, not just within India but also overseas. (Sheorey, 2006, p. 24)

Given the confluence of these conditions\widespread use of and need for English set against a colonial history of English teaching\the current situation of English teaching in India provides a wealth of opportunity for learning and understanding in the field of ELT.

We therefore request original research in English language education from researchers in India. Research topics may include language acquisition in formal and informal settings, effects of innovative teaching methodologies on language learning, language testing, technology in language learning, communicative approach, local language influence, impact of colonial history on English education in India, instructional change, processes and politics of developing locally appropriate textbooks and educational materials, language teacher problem solving, program evaluation, or other topics related to the special issue theme. We welcome proposals from both native and non-native speakers of English. We also invite research on how new scholars are introduced to research and apprenticed into the Indian research community in language education.

Proposals in the form of a 200-500 word abstract are due no later than April 17, 2008. Successful proposals will describe original research, either quantitative or qualitative, with a rationale for the research and with specific research questions posed and a clearly described design for data collection and analysis. Authors must address how they plan to describe influences of their contexts and circumstances on their proposed research.

Proposals should be sent no later than April 17, 2008 to both: