Unit 01: Introduction of English as a Second Language

1.1 Introduction
Today’s economy is increasingly globalized, and this means that many of us are interacting
across cultures in a way we never did before. In such an economy, the importance of learning a
second language becomes self-evident. Learning a second language helps you to communicate
across cultures and to conduct business in lands you may never have previously considered
viable markets. It also helps you to address customers in the language that they understand best
and in which they are most comfortable communicating. Additionally, the importance of learning
a second language is emphasized every day when we see the diversity of earth’s cultures and the
amazing array of people that make up our global community.
That said, there is another reason supporting the importance of learning a second language.
Scientific studies have shown that learning a second language improves brain function and
stimulates creativity. When you know a new language, you start to see connections you didn’t
see before because every language approaches the world in a slightly different way. As a result,
you have the opportunity to understand the world from the perspective of another culture and
gain a greater appreciation of human society in all its diversity. As a consequence, the
importance of learning a second language is again reinforced. You become not just equipped to
communicate across cultures but empowered to understand others’ points of view.
English as a Second Language
The world is an increasingly globalized place where individuals are communicating among and
between multiple cultures each day. Today, an individual has access to a vast array of
information from a variety of world cultures at the touch of a button. For those of us in the
English speaking world, we take access to this information for granted. Elsewhere, however,
much of the world’s information is beyond their reach, locked in English. That is one reason why
learning English as a second language has become so popular. In fact, English is now the world’s
most widely spoken second language, surpassing all others. In fact, more people now speak
English as a second language than as their first language.
As a result, there has never been a greater demand for classes to learn English as a second
language. English is the gateway to a world of knowledge, commerce, and culture, a lingua
franca that gives a student access to the world in a way that other languages do not. Just as Latin
was the most important language for a thousand years and French for five hundred, English is
today the key to participating in the global conversation. There are a variety of ways to learn
English as a second language, including computer programs, audio tapes, classes, and
immersion. Picking the right method for you requires some insight and self-understanding.
Teaching English as a Second Language
Teaching English as a second language is an important task that produces a number of powerful
rewards. First, there is the feeling of pride that as a teacher you have made a difference in the life
of a student. Second is the contribution you have made the international community by minting a
new speaker of the English language, one who can now communicate across cultures and
worldwide in the lingua franca of the modern age. Teaching English as a second language is a
noble calling, empowering students to take their places in the global community and become
active participants in the global conversation.
Today’s English language learners are a diverse collection of immigrants, businesspeople,
students, and artists who share a dedication to the English language and a love of learning.
Teaching English as a second language to these students is an honor and a privilege, one that we
as educators share with all of those who strive to give student the tools they need to take on new
enterprises and reach for their dreams. The gift of a second language is a window onto a new
world, bringing into focus a wealth of conversation, information, and understanding that would
otherwise be forever closed to the students who seek to learn a new language. We therefore look
forward every day to giving our students the tools to succeed in all their dreams.
1.2 Need and scope
There are many good reasons to learn English as second language. There are more than 6,000
different languages spoken all over the world, but English is and will continue to be a common
means of communication for speakers of all languages.
According to the most recent statistics, English is the mother tongue of more than 375 million
people. English is the official language in 54 countries that cover Europe, the Americas, Africa,
Asia, and Australasia, and which include countries as diverse as New Zealand, South Africa,
Belize, India, Malta, and Singapore. This means that English is a truly universal language that
makes communication across the globe easy and convenient.
In addition, English is the world's most popular second language choice. The British Council
estimates that more than 1 billion people are learning English as a second language at any given
time. English is taught at school as a second language in hundreds of countries all over the
world, from France to Thailand, Israel to Malaysia, in Sweden, China, and in many other
countries. Because English is taught all over the world, you will never feel alone during your
learning process, and it will be very easy to find other English learners who can share their
experiences with you during your wonderful journey through the world of ESL.
For those who have grown up in countries where English isn’t spoken, the choice is fairly
obvious- knowing how to speak English can open up doors across the globe. So if you’re still
undecided about whether you should study English as a Second Language, here are our Top 5
reasons why you should:
1. English is the global language of business.
If you are interested in working for one of the world’s top organizations, chances are that English
will be the language they use to communicate. English has become the language of international
business, so most multi-national companies require some level of English comprehension,
and knowledge of the language spoken locally around where the company operates will boost
you even further. The truth of the matter is that those who have a fluent grip over the English
language tend to receive a higher salary than those who don’t, so learning ESL really can
advance your career prospects.
2. English is the second most spoken language in the world.
The only language that’s spoken more than English is Chinese Mandarin, but so far, the English
language has had a much more global impact because a significant majority of people who speak
Mandarin are either in China or America. These days, English is often the default language used
when people from different countries get together. This has been made clear in places like India,
where the population speaks 780 different languages, and English is the tool that’s used to bring
these people together.
3. English is the language of Government.
The United Nations use both English and French as its official languages. Also, with its massive
influence over world affairs, the Unites States (and the west in general), are key global players
that mustn’t be overlooked. These countries primarily use English to communicate their policies
to the world, so having a firm understanding of English really important for an accurate
interpretation of these pronouncements.
4. Over half of the World’s Websites are written in English.
The exact statistics are tricky to find, but it has been estimated that of the 10 million most
popular websites in the world, at least fifty percent have been written in English. That’s a lot of
cyber content and knowledge that people who can’t speak English are completely missing out
on!
5. Live in an exciting new country as you learn the language.
One of the most attractive features for learning English as a second language is that many
schools offer the chance to live in an English speaking country as you study! This is one of the
fastest, most effective and most interesting methods for learning any foreign language. After all,
language acquisition is about much more than simply studying a vocabulary list; it’s about
soaking up the culture and colloquialisms; delving into an alien society with a kind, open heart,
and one hell of an enquiring mind!
10 reasons why English is such an important language
English is one of the most dominating language of the world which is having its impact on every
field of work. Undoubtedly, English play a much greater role in the world that it is inevitable for
people to ignore it fully. Here are 10 reasons why English is such an important language.
1. It’s the most commonly spoken language in the world
Depending a bit on how you count, in addition to the approximately 400 million native speakers,
English is understood and/or spoken by 1-1.6 billion people. With over a quarter of the world
speaking the language, there’s always someone to practice with, especially when you travel.
2. It’s the language of international business
With world business headquarters predominantly in the financial hubs of the UK and USA,
English has long been the default language of trade as you can read in the history of the English
language. Therefore, English is the dominant business language and it has become almost a
necessity for people to speak English if they are to enter a global workforce, research from all
over the world shows that cross-border business communication is most often conducted in
English. Its importance in the global market place therefore cannot be understated, learning
English really can change your life.
3. Most movies are in English
Hollywood is a powerhouse of global entertainment, so it’s natural that English would become
the main language for movie-making. Sure, the movies are often dubbed over or subtitled – but
they’re really best enjoyed in the language in which they were intended.
4. It’s easy to learn
This is debatable depending on who you speak to, but it’s generally accepted that English isn’t
the most taxing language to get to grips with. The vocabulary is simple to grasp and it has
developed throughout different languages regarding its evolution that is explained in the article
about the history of English language. Therefore, many speakers of those languages can see
where concepts in English originated from and fast adapt to understand the basics of English.
5. It helps you understand other languages
English has a long and fascinating history that spans wars, invasions and influences from around
the globe. Cultures that have helped shape modern English include Romans, Vikings and the
French. For this reason it’s a hybrid language comprised of Latin, Germanic and Romance
elements.
6. You can say things in a hundred different ways
One of English’s best assets is its flexibility: you can often find many different ways to to
explain the same thing thanks to its wide range of vocabulary. It’s said to have well over 750,000
words (depending a bit on how you count – some generous estimates put that number at 1
million) and is adding new ones every year as mentioned in the article about the history of
English language.
7. It can be used around the world
English is also hugely important as an international language and plays an important part even in
countries where the UK has historically had little influence. It is learnt as the principal foreign
language in most schools in Western Europe. It is also an essential part of the curriculum in far-
flung places like Japan and South Korea, and is increasingly seen as desirable by millions of
speakers in China. Therefore, if you have the basics of English language you can make yourself
understood in nearly every corner of the world.
8. It’s really flexible
Non-native English speakers who learn it as a second language often comment on how many
ways there are to say things. That’s because English doesn’t discriminate – you can use it
however you like. Countries like Singapore have taken this concept to heart, inventing an
entirely new type of English called ‘Singlish’ that has absorbed facets of other languages like
Chinese and Malay.
9. It’s the language of the internet
Most of the content produced on the internet (50%) is in English. So knowing English will allow
you access to an incredible amount of information which may not be otherwise available.
10. It continues to change
Selfie, Hashtagging, Blogging, Smasual, etc. All these words are new to the English language
but have already become valued members of the lexicon. More than any other language, English
continues to evolve and absorb new words that branch out – often untranslated – into other
languages. Every year approximately more than 1.000 new and approved words are added to the
Oxford Dictionary. This tremendous development is the result due to technology, Social Media
and how people spontaneously coin new words during daily life. More information you can find
in the article about the history of English language.