KACHRU

MODEL
“The Three Circles
of English”
Classification of
English Speakers: 1
ENL (English as a Native
Language)
ESL (English as a Second
Language)
EFL (English as a Foreign
Language)

Kachru's Three
Circle Model: 2
Inner Circle: Traditional bases
of English (USA, UK, Canada)
Outer Circle: Places with
official non-native varieties due
to colonial history (e.g., India,
Pakistan, Egypt)
Expanding Circle: Countries
where English is not typically
Characteristics spoken (e.g., China, Russia,
3 of Each Circle: Brazil)

Inner Circle sets norms.

Outer Circle challenges and
develops norms.
Expanding Circle follows norms
set by Inner Circle and
influenced by Outer Circle.

Take Breaks
Doesn't consider
4
ecosystems, only
nations.
Excludes many dialects
and varieties within
countries.
Only includes official
pidgins and creoles,

5 Importance of
Kachru's Model:
leaving out other
speakers.

Significant in the
history of
sociolinguistics.
Basis for understanding
English varieties
worldwide.
Future
Considerations: 6
Need for adjustments
to include all English
speakers.
Addressing the
identified problems to
improve inclusivity.