English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) is a major force over a wide range of fields such as international media, politics, diplomacy, education and business to name but a few. Currently, non-native speakers vastly outnumber native speakers of English, which means that English can no longer be viewed as the “property” of English L1 speakers. ELF’s growing importance as a political and communicative force in the world, coupled with our awareness of the use of ELF by Model United Nations (MUN) simulation participants, was a strong impetus for planning this book. Topics and chapters were generated as a result of a series of annual symposia (The Global Negotiation Symposium) held in conjunction with English language MUN simulations in Japan. These symposia events offered opportunities for participants to observe students negotiating at a live MUN simulation and to learn more about MUN simulations as a community of practice.

This book explores three major themes: (a) English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) in the context of participant interactions while in preparation for and during Model United Nations (MUN) simulations; (b) the best practices currently employed to produce a high quality MUN simulation event; and (c) the best practices currently employed to prepare delegates to make the most of their MUN experience.

The first section of the book offers theoretical and conceptual insights into MUN and ELF as communities of practice since they both involve mutual engagement in a negotiated joint enterprise using a shared repertoire. The opening chapter of the first section outlines the efforts to gather a specialized corpus of MUN simulation interactions to augment the existing ELF corpora. The next chapter investigates the links between MUN simulations, enhanced mindfulness of ELF and the development of intercultural sensitivity. Another chapter explores the ELF in MUN experience with the intention of encouraging other teachers of English to give their students even a small taste of the MUN experience. A further chapter provides a background understanding of the importance of cultivating learner autonomy and its connection to MUN simulations. Closing the first section, there is a description of a unique MUN simulation in which ELF-speaking students were allowed to represent their own countries.

In the second section, the contributors to this book share some aspect of delegate preparation that they believe has worked exceptionally well and their insights as to why their methods work. One chapter explores a range of cutting-edge procedures to offer a MUN experience online while the closing study portrays the use of digital technology by MUN facilitators and participants, alerting the reader to some of the pitfalls and concerns that may arise.

The third section of this book narrows its focus to the level of delegate preparation. The first study in this section considers the preparation needs of students at various CEFR levels in order to successfully participate in a MUN simulation. Another study uses a genre approach to enable student delegates to write convincing and stylistically appropriate position papers that mirror authentic UN documents. A further chapter explains how to be an effective Faculty Advisor (FA), noting that the hands-on, active learning done throughout the preparation and participation in a MUN simulation event serves to develop valuable life skills. Two other chapters offer closer glimpses into the experience of preparing for a MUN simulation by breaking down the incredibly complex task into smaller pieces, outlining what and when something should happen, and who shall do it. The final chapter focuses on the short policy speeches and provides clear and useful rubrics that encourage participants to prepare more expressive and compelling policy speeches.

This volume represents a pioneering development in MUN simulation scholarship. MUNs are uniquely positioned to help students develop their language ability and their global competencies. MUN simulations are also ideal opportunities for learners to experience ELF in an intensely communicative context. The book offers more than just professional tips for each stage of MUN delegate training; it offers a collection of research-based insights and best practices for practitioners interested in preparing students to be Model United Nations delegates especially in English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) contexts.

Donna Tatsuki received her MEd and EdD in Applied Linguistics from Temple University, Japan. She has taught courses in English Language Teaching Methodologies and other related ki, Lori Zenuk-Nishideareas at Kobe City University of Foreign Studies, Japan, since 2001. She is currently a Professor at this institution, and has thrice been Visiting Professor/Visiting Researcher at Sapienza University, Rome. In addition to publishing numerous articles in scientific journals, she is also the author, editor, and co-editor for several journal special issues. She convened the World Storytelling Conference in 2012, and has hosted the Global Negotiation Symposium every year since 2017.

Lori Zenuk-Nishide obtained her MEd in Applied Linguistics from Temple University, Japan. She has taught courses in Model United Nations and English Language Teaching at Kobe City University of Foreign Studies, Japan, since 2007. Together with Professor Donna Tatsuki, she co-founded and directed the KCUFS ELF MUN Program. In addition to publishing numerous articles in scientific journals, she is also the editor and co-editor of several journal special issues.

Model United Nations Simulations and English as a Lingua Franca: New Perspectives on Best Practices is available now at a 25% discount. Enter code PROMO25 to redeem.

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