English as a lingua franca and communication strategies

English as a lingua franca (ELF) refers to the use of English as a shared language among speakers of different first languages. Because English as a lingua franca is typically used as a means of intercultural communication, English as a lingua franca speakers routinely use communication strategies to preempt or repair communication breakdowns while developing rapport with others from diverse cultural backgrounds. Hence, communication strategies serve as critical resources for achieving successful interaction. This entry surveys the current literature on English as a lingua franca communication strategies, and then proceeds to review recent empirical studies that have uncovered the nature, types, and functions of English as a lingua franca communication strategies. This is followed by an exploration of how such strategies can be taught, focusing on the selection of target strategies, key elements of instruction, and materials development. The entry concludes with a discussion of future directions for researching and teaching English as a lingua franca communication strategies. Copyright © 2025 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.