Check out tefl tesol about Course TESOL Fee and apply today to be certified to teach English abroad.
You could also be interested in:
This is how our TEFL graduates feel they have gained from their course, and how they plan to put into action what they learned:
english as a Global languageEnglish has been referred to as a “global language” and is currently most often taught as a foreign language. english has become a bridge for nations across the globe to be able to communicate and maintain business. With beginnings in Anglo Saxon Europe, for hundreds of years the english language has spread to the far reaches of the planet. Countries where the dominant culture is based around the english language experience waves of immigration. These immigrants learn english as an additional language. In other non-english speaking countries, english finds itself at home among non-native english speakers. Globalization through trade and joint ventures has solidified english as the fastest expanding language. Some of the most developed countries in the world, england and America have set the stage for developing global actors like China, Brazil, and India. What does the future hold for these non-english speaking countries of the world and their languages?
Each new generation demands more english speakers for the global job market. Students around the world must learn english if they are to compete in this international community. The pressure begins early on as children younger and younger are made to learn english. In China, for example, children begin learning english at the age of two. The “tiger moms and dads” of the great nation want only the best for their child. They realize speaking english is a very profitable skill to have. The chinese parents alike many worldwide provide the fuel for english to continue to its growth.
While english may help people get jobs and communicate in these modern times, what negative effects does this english expansionism have on the countries and cultures that cross its path. Having no face of its own in this evolving world, is it possible that english will replace other less popular languages? Language is limited to its uses and its spheres of influence. One could speculate that english could take over certain language realms of a society; business for example would most likely be conducted in english. It’s not likely that among indigenous Indians in India, the language spoken in a vegetable market would be replaced by english. However, the english language absorbs culture as it continues to grow [1]. This linguistic imperialism [2] has made a major impact on nations participating in the evolving global economy. english is able to colonize other native languages because of its superior communicative functions and its social identity as a global language.
Although english may be present at the top of the global language pyramid, non-native english speakers can have their cake and eat it too. They can be multilingual. Through proper education either at home or in the classroom their culture and their languages can be preserved. Native english speakers alike learn other languages as well. For example, while visiting other countries most travelers at the very least learn phrases to entertain the locals.
A global language like english will continue its expansion; that is for sure. There are many positive and negative aspects of its growth. However, it will certainly make this world a smaller one.
1. David Graddol (1997). "The Future of english?" (PDF). The British Council. Retrieved 15 April 2007.
2. Jambor, Paul Z. 'english Language Imperialism: Points of View', Journal of english as an International Language, April 2007 – Volume 1, pages 103–123 (Accessed in 2007)
