Language, Literature and Identity: The future of English teaching in the 21 st Century Social and demographic trends Emily Keaney and Ben Rogers, ippr, January 2006

Structure 1.Why identity? 2.Mapping the changes 3.Positive developments in British identity. 4.Challenges to overcome 5.The implications for English teaching and the curriculum

Why Identity? Growth in extremism – BNP, Political Islam Failure to honour minority identities Decline in British Identity Problems with British Identity (Brown thesis) Rise in anti-social behaviour Rise in civic and political disengagement Poverty of white working class identities

Major Trends Increase in the size and diversity of Britains immigrant population Decline in given identities based on nation, religion, class, locality, politics Growth of elective identities – lifestyle/consumer Decline in British Identity and growth Scottish, Welsh, etc identity

Mean score on the national pride scale (1-4; 4 as most proud) by birth-cohort, James Tilley and Anthony Heath (2004) 'The Decline of British National Pride', paper presented at the Elections, Public Opinion and Parties conference 2004, Oxford UK

Mapping the changes Englands ethnic composition is more varied than ever before CensusWhiteSouth AsianBlack Chinese & other Asian Other groups Numbers (millions)

Traditional categorisations are losing their relevance

Migration patterns are changing

The changes are effecting the whole country

Trends in Moreno Identity

Positive developments in British Identity Racism has declined Self reported racial prejudice: per cent who see themselves as very prejudiced or a little prejudiced

Identity is becoming more civic than ethnic

Challenges to overcome Racism Hostility to immigration Lack of cosmopolitan identities Honouring minority identities Intolerant Englishness? Decline of British Identity?

Bonding Identities Are shared principles enough? Do we need shared culture? What sort? How thick?

The implications for English teaching and the curriculum What role does literature and language more broadly play in shaping identity? What is the role of English teaching in developing and reflecting rich and tolerant national, minority and local identities?