Description: This book identifies and discusses four phenomena in transnational education (1) the planned, evolving and transformative mediocrity behind the endorsement of English-medium education legitimized by the interactive Asia-the West relationship; (2) the strategic employment of the terms 'Asia/Asian' and 'West/Western' by all stakeholders in their perceptions and construction of choice, quality, rigour, reliability and attractiveness of programs, courses, and locations; (3) the adjusted desire for an imagined 'West' among various stakeholders of transnational education; and (4) the assigned and self-realized ownership of English by otherwise normally on-the-margin groups of speakers.
Review Quotes:
"In a context where many Asian parents and students aspire to a 'Western' education, and American universities and schools are caught up in a terminal case of 'Asia-envy' - this is a timely and important work. Phan Le Ha makes it impossible for any of us to take the official marketing and spin about the value of East/West, Asia/America educational exchange at face value." Allan Luke, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
"If the academic understanding of the East-West dichotomy is complicated, Phan's work is a theoretical and philosophical relationship counselor for the issue. This book is part of a larger body of work by Phan that serves to complicate oversimplified dichotomies and clarify what seems to be overly complex layers of difference. You may not agree with all of the positions and arguments, but you will benefit from considering their merit." Christopher S. Collins, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Higher Education, Azusa Pacific University, USA