ESL: An Imported New Empire?

Abstract What is ‘English as a Second Language’ or ESL? It is argued that the primary function of ESL is to maintain white power in the UK. Some of the processes and mechanics at work are explained. The article also reflects critically on the packaging of ‘mother tongue’, ‘bilinguals’, and ‘community and heritage’ languages as racist responses, where the orientation is white, and the teachers are white with a sprinkling of ‘Asian’ faces to give colour, richness and flavour. This is the taking over by whites of black peoples’ strength through language and power. It is not politically, educationally or morally tenable.