The widespread use of English for communication involving non-native English speakers occasions a questioning of traditional approaches to teaching and learning. It is often assumed, for example, that learner conformity to native norms is both necessary for effective communication, and highly correlated with learner intelligibility. Conformity to native norms nevertheless is rarely achieved by learners, and apparently not subsequently required by many, as evidenced by the fact that vast numbers of English users worldwide communicate effectively for their purposes (Seidlholfer 2011). The presenter will highlight pedagogical aspects of Elf-related research such as a focus on functional effectiveness, enhanced not only by the use of pragmatic strategies for negotiating meaning and co-constructing understanding, but also by the exploitation of languages other than English.A pedagogy such as is being suggested focuses on capability, without being prescriptive.