English as a global language

English is a global language

Although not everyone in the world speaks English and not every country in the world recognizes English as an official language, we can find its trace in many places for example televisions, signs, advertisements, etc.

English, as a global language, has been already used by more people than any other languages.

In 1997, there is about 25% of world population being fluent or competent in English. In early 2000s, the population is about 1.5 billion and the trend is growing steadily while the population of people fluent in Chinese is about 1.1 billion

English being the official language of many countries

English has been made the official language of over 70 countries, being regarded as the second language and as complement to the first language of the corresponding countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, India, Singapore and Vanuatu. It is used as a mean of communication in government, law courts, the media and the educational system.

English achieving the status of the priority foreign language in schools

English has been made a priority in over 100 countries’ foreign-language teaching even it has no official status in some of the countries. It is now the language most widely taught as a foreign language in those 100 countries like China, Egypt, Spain, Brazil, etc.

Why did English become a global language?

It’s not about the ease of learning, the size of vocabulary or the association with great culture. It’s all about the power of its people, especially their political and military power. There is a close link between language dominance and economic, technological, cultural power and “No language can make progress as an international medium of communication without a strong power”.

Reference:

Crystal, D. 2003. English as a global language (Second Edition). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Nunan, D. 2003. The Impact of English as a Global Language on Educational Policies and Practices in the Asia-Pacific Region. TESOL Quarterly, 37, 589-611.

Seidlhofer, B. 2005. English as a lingua franca. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Edited by Denize Chan.