This book investigates the theoretical, empirical and pedagogical issues to help us better understand what is happening with English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) communication and to activate this knowledge in respective communicative contexts. It focuses specifically on Japanese contexts and also includes theoretical and practical sections pertinent to all ELF researchers, practitioners and students, irrespective of their national or regional differences. It further attempts to connect this new field of research to established fields of linguistics and applied linguistics such as communication, assessment and multilingualism by exploring them from an ELF perspective, which is challenging but essential for the development of the field. Exploring ELF in Japanese Academic and Business Contexts: Conceptualisation, research and pedagogic implications includes chapters about:

• English in a Global Context
• Own-language use in academic discourse
• English as a lingua franca in international business contexts
• A linguistic soundscape/landscape analysis of ELF information provision in public transport in Tokyo
• Using pragmatic strategies for effective ELF communication: Relevance to classroom practice

This book will be of interest to scholars and post-graduate students working in the fields of Applied Linguistics/TESOL. It will also engage researchers studying the growing influence of English around the world.