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People often speak English as a universal language. With more than 350 million people worldwide speaking English as a first language and more than 430 million speaking a second language, there are English-speaking people in many countries around the world. Why, though, is English so popular? And why has it become an international language?
People often call English as the international language of business, and it is becoming more and more realistic as international trade grows every year, making new countries more connected. Most MBA programs are taught in English, so speaking it well puts you in a position to get the best training and information. Many international companies require a certain level of English expertise in potential employees, so, in order to get a position in a top company, more people learning English.
English is Not an Easy Language
All languages seem simple when you are a native speaker. However, there is a common misconception that many have adopted English as a second language because it is easier to learn.
The fact is that English is not an easy language to learn and the type of language is not associated with an increase in the number of speakers.
English is a difficult language to understand, due to its large vocabulary and consistent grammar.
To make matters worse, the large number of speakers and the different nationalities of those speakers make the language more complex over time.
There is a big difference between American English and British English. So you might be surprised to learn that the Oxford English Dictionary now contains dozens of Nigerian English words.
The various English-speaking cultures gradually produce a slightly different language in all the spoken languages. English is not one language, but many.
Why Did English Become The Global Language?
One global language will not only allow us to express ourselves to everyone in the world but also help to reduce misunderstandings and miscommunication.
With over 350 million native speakers, and over 450 million speaking as a second language, English is unanimously adopted as a global language. With speakers in more than 70 countries, as well as English-speaking countries accounting for more than 40% of the Global Product, this should come as no surprise. But the question arises, why only English? In this article we try to answer this.
The influence of the British Empire
It was the power and politics that made English the language of the world. At one time, the British Empire covered about a quarter of the world, making English an important language in many colonies. In Asia and Africa, English was probably not the language of the people, but it was the language of commerce. It was the language of the nobility and provided an opportunity for learning and development.
Eventually, the various powers that make up the British Empire became independent. But they were still required to communicate while boasting in various indigenous languages. English won the day as the most influential people have spoken. It was inevitable that because of economic influence, English had become the language of business and politics. People had to speak English in order to be successful in life. More and more people are learning Business English for this reason. It gained a solid foundation and is still the dominant or official language in many areas.
Sailors, soldiers, merchants, and missionaries took English all over the world. English-speaking people have also moved to North America. Of course, the people would not be the only ones living there. But the founders of the United States recognized the importance of English and worked to strengthen its position as the majority language.
English grew slowly around the world, but it was not the first European language of colonialism. As recently as the 19th century, it was common for people of different languages to speak French. It is therefore clear that English would not be prominent because of the British Empire and the migration to North America.
The power of the United States
History shows that English would not have become the universal language if the United States had not transformed into such a powerful nation. In addition, the American economy flourished after World War II, strengthening English as the language of commerce and finance. As a result, American influence spread far and wide. All nations needed to trade with the United States, and the ability to speak English was important for those seeking employment in business or politics.
Will English remain on top post Brexit?
English is the most powerful language in the world and the third official language of the European Union, with an estimated 95% of all European Parliament documents now written in English.
Throughout Europe, English has become so widely spoken as a second language that it may take centuries to eradicate it. In many ways, though, the current situation is exacerbated. People need influence to make changes, and they need to speak English to make an impact.
Here in France, mastering English skills is essential. For example, in word-Connection, our project management team communicates with clients from all over Europe via email in English. Thus, English is our main language of communication even though our European office is based in a non-English country, and most of our team are Japanese or French.
It is no secret that English has always been the language of Japanese business; The UK and the recent EU, free trade agreements with Japan, will continue to focus on English as a key language in international trade.
An English soundtrack
Culture has also been shown to be important in the dominance of the English language. There is a situation of chicken and egg here. Has British and American music become world-wide because more people speak English, or do more people speak English because they listen to British and American music? The same can be said of movies and television shows.
Few regions of the world are beetle or Kanye West music has yet to reach it. You will hear Freddie Mercury’s dulcet tones being heard on the radio almost everywhere. Most artists seeking fame and fortune make their music in English to attract as many audiences as possible. ABBA may never have been something like this in the world if they had chosen to sing in Swedish. That’s right, at least for now. Ta En Chane På Mig does not have the same ring as Take A Chance On Me!
Why is English important for you?
This list explains many of the reasons why English is the world language. Now let us help you understand how the English language will benefit you in the long run.
- English is the most important language in the world, and its “common language” proves that.
- Learning anything new can be time-consuming. However, no matter where you come from, if you learn English, it will open up many opportunities for you.
- English is a business language, so if you want to start a business, learning English will make the next step much easier for you.
- It is always good to learn a new language.
- With all that in mind, we can safely say that learning English will add value to your life.
What is the best way to learn English?
As mentioned earlier, learning anything new can be challenging, but it is worth it. We’ve put together some easy ways to learn English.
Practice makes perfect
From ancient times we have been taught that exercise is the best way to become proficient. The same principle applies when it comes to learning English. With practice, you will gradually reach perfection.
Internet could be your go-to buddy
There are various videos and tutorials online on how to learn English. Videos will help you to understand pronunciation and improve your fluency. You can also join online forums that use English. This will help you to understand spoken English and how to express yourself. Check out our FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM pages for more tips that can help you improve your English.
Music heals and helps!
Listening to English songs is a great way to master the language. Not only will you be in a better position, but it will also give you a dignified view of grammar and pronunciation.
Mistake is human
It is only natural for people to make mistakes when taking on the task of learning a new skill. However, do not let the slightest inclination diminish your speed. Learn from your mistakes and move on.
Until the next speed breaker
Give yourself short-term goals – read at least 10 new words every day or complete at least one novel a week. Then, reward yourself for managing your achievements. After all, motivating yourself is the best thing that could ever happen to you.
Books are your best friends!
Books and dogs are great friends of the people, and to learn English you need to rely heavily on writing! Whether it is newspapers or novels, reading books will improve your vocabulary.
Readout loud
Reading aloud will help you to recognize your pronunciation mistakes and improve your fluency. Additionally, you will more likely recall important words when you read them aloud. This will also boost your self-confidence. Finally, you can ask a friend or teacher to check your English speaking skills and give you an answer.
Using apps
Another option is to use the app to talk to native speakers online, in the comfort of your own home. The most popular app is Entri. To Start Your Setup Join Entry Now. Basically, you sign up for an account, and introduce yourself, your native language and interests. The app will find you the same thing – people who speak English and want to master a fluent language. All you have to do is press a few buttons and you can start talking.
Learning to speak English fluently is not a one-night stand. For this reason, it is important to have the right tools and techniques for daily practice. Lastly, if you have activities that you enjoy and that require you to speak English, your skills will improve greatly over time.
Try the resources and guidelines above, and pay attention to how they make you feel. What helps your confidence? What seems to help you to speak English longer? Use methods that work for you, such as in the course “English Padikkyam with Inverted Coconut” and your speech will come naturally.