English Language as a Tourist Attraction in Kurdistan Region: Shaqllawa District as an Example

This paper deals with the importance of the English Language in tourism, as a tourist attraction, in the Kurdistan Region, with a specific focus on Shaqllawa District. Shaqllawa, known for its rich cultural heritage and linguistic diversity, provides an exceptional opportunity to leverage the English language as a means of enhancing the tourist experience. It works within Jenkins’ theory of English as a lingua franca (ELF) (2007). Despite the region's cultural wealth, the role of the English language in tourism remains underutilized and underexplored. This study aims to fill this gap by examining how the English Language can be transformed into a compelling attraction for domestic and international tourists.Through a quantitative research method, including a survey regarding the link between the English language and tourism stakeholders, this study explores the current state of linguistic awareness and appreciation in Shaqllawa.