English in Belgium

Alex Housen; Laurence Mettewie

doi:10.1002/9781119518297.eowe00380

English in Belgium

Alex Housen
, Laurence Mettewie

Research output: Contribution in Book/Catalog/Report/Conference proceeding › Entry for encyclopedia/dictionary

13 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This entry discusses the position of English in each of the three semi-autonomous regions (Flanders, Wallonia, the Capital District of Brussels) and in the three official language communities (the Dutch, French and German-speaking communities) that make up the federal state of Belgium. Aspects discussed include the presence and use of English in education, the public domain, the media and in the economic sector, as well as levels of English proficiency attained by the inhabitants of Belgium. We show that although English has no official status in Belgium, it plays a significant role in all its regions and communities, albeit always in combination with at least one of the national languages Dutch and French, and with notable differences between the different regions and communities.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	The Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of World Englishes
Editors	Kingsley Bolton
Publisher	Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Pages	356-369
Volume	1
ISBN (Electronic)	9781119518297
ISBN (Print)	9781119518310
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119518297.eowe00380
Publication status	Published - 2025

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 4 Quality Education

Keywords

English
Belgium
lingua franca
maxi-min language
Language education
Language and media
Languages and business
Linguistic Landscape

Access to Document

10.1002/9781119518297.eowe00380

eowe00380_Housen_&_Mettewie_2025_updatedAccepted author manuscript, 295 KBLicence: Unspecified

Embargoed Document

The Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of World Englishes - 2025 - Housen - Belgium English in
Final published version, 91 KB
Request copy

Understanding foreign language education and bilingual education in Belgium: a (surreal) piece of cake
METTEWIE, L. & Van Mensel, L., 2023, In: International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism. 26, 5, p. 639-657 19 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File
419 Downloads (Pure)
Apprendre la langue de « l’Autre » en Belgique: la dimension affective comme frein à l’apprentissage
Translated title of the contribution: Learning the language of the "Other" in Belgium: affective variables refraining the learning process.Mettewie, L., 2015, In: Le Langage et l'Homme. L, 2, p. 23-42 20 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File
Clins d’œil bilingues dans le paysage linguistique de Montréal et Bruxelles: Analyse et illustration de mécanismes parallèles
Translated title of the contribution: Bilingual winks in the linguistic landscape of Montréal and Brussels: analysis and illustration of parallel mechanismsMettewie, L., Lamarre, P. & Van Mensel, L., 2012, Linguistic Landscapes, Multilingualism and Social Change. Hélot, C., Barni, M., Janssens, R. & Bagna, C. (eds.). Bern: Peter Lang Verlag, p. 201-216 16 p.
Research output: Contribution in Book/Catalog/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review

Open Access
File

2 Public lecture/Debate
1 Participation to a Symposium, a study Day
1 Participation in conference
1 Invited talk

Brussels Multilingualism Week
Mettewie, L. (Chairman)
14 Feb 2026
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Public lecture/Debate
As de pique ou valet puant? L'enseignement des langues en Belgique.
Mettewie, L. (Invited speaker)
23 Feb 2024
Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
Chiffres clés de l’apprentissage des langues en Belgique et en Europe
Mettewie, L. (Participant)
30 May 2023
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation to a Symposium, a study Day

Hallo Vlaanderen: De verdere val van het Nederlands
Mettewie, L.
17/10/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment

Cite this

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title = "English in Belgium",

abstract = "This entry discusses the position of English in each of the three semi-autonomous regions (Flanders, Wallonia, the Capital District of Brussels) and in the three official language communities (the Dutch, French and German-speaking communities) that make up the federal state of Belgium. Aspects discussed include the presence and use of English in education, the public domain, the media and in the economic sector, as well as levels of English proficiency attained by the inhabitants of Belgium. We show that although English has no official status in Belgium, it plays a significant role in all its regions and communities, albeit always in combination with at least one of the national languages Dutch and French, and with notable differences between the different regions and communities.",

keywords = "English, Belgium, lingua franca, maxi-min language, Language education, Language and media, Languages and business, Linguistic Landscape",

author = "Alex Housen and Laurence Mettewie",

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AB - This entry discusses the position of English in each of the three semi-autonomous regions (Flanders, Wallonia, the Capital District of Brussels) and in the three official language communities (the Dutch, French and German-speaking communities) that make up the federal state of Belgium. Aspects discussed include the presence and use of English in education, the public domain, the media and in the economic sector, as well as levels of English proficiency attained by the inhabitants of Belgium. We show that although English has no official status in Belgium, it plays a significant role in all its regions and communities, albeit always in combination with at least one of the national languages Dutch and French, and with notable differences between the different regions and communities.

KW - English

KW - Belgium

KW - lingua franca

KW - maxi-min language

KW - Language education

KW - Language and media

KW - Languages and business

KW - Linguistic Landscape

U2 - 10.1002/9781119518297.eowe00380

DO - 10.1002/9781119518297.eowe00380

M3 - Entry for encyclopedia/dictionary

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SP - 356

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BT - The Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of World Englishes

A2 - Bolton, Kingsley

PB - Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd

ER -

English in Belgium

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

Embargoed Document

Fingerprint

Research output

Understanding foreign language education and bilingual education in Belgium: a (surreal) piece of cake

Apprendre la langue de « l’Autre » en Belgique: la dimension affective comme frein à l’apprentissage

Clins d’œil bilingues dans le paysage linguistique de Montréal et Bruxelles: Analyse et illustration de mécanismes parallèles

Activities

Brussels Multilingualism Week

As de pique ou valet puant? L'enseignement des langues en Belgique.

Chiffres clés de l’apprentissage des langues en Belgique et en Europe

Press/Media

Hallo Vlaanderen: De verdere val van het Nederlands

Cite this