Facts about the English language – why you should learn it!
English is a West Germanic language that was first spoken in early medieval England and is now a global language. It is an official language of almost 60 sovereign states, the most commonly spoken language in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand, and a widely spoken language in countries in the Caribbean, Africa, and southeast Asia. It is the third most common native language in the world, after Mandarin and Spanish. It is widely learned as a second language and is an official language of the United Nations, of the European Union, and of many other world and regional international organisations.
Despite noticeable variation between the forms of English spoken in different world regions, English-speakers from around the world can communicate with one another effectively. Different accents are distinguished only by phonological differences from the standard language, whereas dialects also display grammatical and lexical differences.
10 Reasons to Learn English
- English is the most commonly spoken language in the world. One out of five people can speak or at least understand English!
- English is the language of science, of aviation, computers, diplomacy, and tourism.
- English is the official language of 53 countries. That is a lot of people to meet and speak to.
- Proficiency in English will significantly improve your chances of being accepted to a university and to graduate school.
- English is the language of the media industry. If you speak English, you won’t need to rely on translations and subtitles anymore to enjoy your favourite books, songs, films and TV shows.
- English is also the language of the Internet. Many websites are written in English – you will be able to understand them and to take part in forums and discussions.
- English is based on a simple alphabet and it is fairly quick and easy to learn compared to other languages.
- Knowing English will allow you not only to function but to compete effectively in the global economy of the future.
- English opens up an entire world of sporting events to enthusiasts.
- Learning a new language, like English, develops your critical and creative thinking skills.
— Source: Wikipedia, experienceenglish.com and American Association of Teachers of French