Teaching English Language

Teaching English Language

A Leap Towards ELT’s Evolution by 2030: Emerging Trends, Discoveries and Breakthroughs

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Department of English Language and Literature, Faculty of Persian Literature and Foreign Languages, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran
10.22132/tel.2024.423404.1531
Abstract
In the era of the Fourth and anticipated Fifth Industrial Revolution, this study emphasizes integrating emerging trends and innovations in English Language Teaching (ELT). It aims to equip learners with essential 21st-century skills and highlights the need to reexamine traditional methods, adopt innovative approaches, integrate technology, and use authentic resources in ELT classrooms. To achieve this, a qualitative study was conducted with 63 participants from Iran, including EFL professors, policymakers, educational technology and cyberspace specialists, and futurists. Data were collected through focus group discussions, narrative episodic interviews, and digital narrative analysis on Telegram. Thematic analysis identified six key ELT trends expected to shape its future: (1) Green ELT: Environmental Sustainability and Ecological Awareness; (2) Using the Real World: Authentic and Experiential Learning; (3) Utilizing English as a Means of Global Communication: English as a Lingua Franca in a Connected World; (4) Life Skills: Equipping with Essential Skills for Navigating the Evolving Landscape; (5) The Strength of Stories: Embracing the Narrative-Based Approach to Language Learning; and (6) Inclusivity and Wellbeing: Creating Inclusive and Supportive Learning Environments. The study outlines innovations aligned with these trends and offers valuable implications for practitioners, while serving as a reference for future educational development.
Keywords

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Volume 20, Issue 1
January 2026
Pages 397-437

  • Receive Date 03 November 2023
  • Revise Date 09 July 2026
  • Accept Date 03 October 2024