Introduction

One more language

One more life

English is spoken on six continents. But due to many historical factors English became the native language of more than 350 million people by the late 20th century. It is the most widely taught foreign language and is also the most widely used second language. One person in seven speaks English as either a primary or secondary language.

Correct spoken English of polite London society was taken as a standard of pronunciation.

In America, and later Australia and New Zealand and South Africa, new varieties of English were developed by native speakers coming from the British Isles. Early colonists were not from fashionable circles in London, so colonial speech was generally regarded by Londoners as a secondary form of English. The first Americanism was recorded in 1735. In the 19th century English came to be used as an official language in India, Singapore and Hong Kong and later in East Africa.

English has some special status as official or second language in more than 70 countries.

English is the language of international communication in many areas of life: trade, air and sea transport, tourism, sport and entertainment. More and more people also need English for studying at universities and colleges. New ideas in science, technology and medicine happen so quickly that it is impossible to translate everything into different languages. So most things are published in English, and if you want to keep up with the latest ideas in any subject, you need English.

Millions of people around the world want to learn English; many of them come to Britain to study at language schools, especially in summer. There are thousands of different schools. They offer courses for children, teenagers and adults.

Why are you learning English?

Think about why you are learning English. Make a note of at least three different reasons with other students.

I am learning English…

to pass my exams

to improve my knowledge of the world

for social reasons because I want to meet people for interest

for my job

because I need it in my studies

because I want to travel

because my parents want me to learn it

because I go to many international conferences

because it’s an international language.

Now think about your own learning. What do you need to study? How do you learn? What is easy for you? What is difficult? What do you enjoy most? Make a few notes and then compare “how you learn” with other students in your group.

How do you learn?

Listening to tapes

Listening to the radio and records

Listening to English speakers

Repeating after a tape/teacher