Evolution of English
In the world of globalization, countries & people of different cultures, economies, and geographies are coming together. In this social converse, the English language has emerged as a common link to bind diversity. As a result, it has become a universal language in the last few decades, with its speakers in several countries. Although no specific theory explains the evolution of the English language, the traces of its expansion go back to the fifth century. The recent English renaissance that helped the language evolution included poets, authors, and playwrights. One famous English playwright is William Shakespeare, whose work influenced the renaissance by standardizing the English language and expanding its vocabulary.
Global use of English.
Today, English is a go-to language for day-to-day communication in different parts of the world. It is the only language that works as a lingua-franca for non-native speakers. In the present context, its popularity is increasing day by day. It has become the first language in the world's top businesses, schools, news broadcasts, and many other areas. In some industries like air traffic, all pilots and air traffic controllers must know English. There are over 80 countries that use English as their national language.
Braj Kachru, an Indian linguist, divided English into three concentric circles: Inner circle, Outer circle, and Expanding circle. The Inner Circle comprises countries where English has a traditional base, like the UK, Ireland, and British colonies like South Africa, Canada, and others. The Outer Circle includes those countries where English has official or historical importance. Finally, the Expanding Circle refers to countries where English has no official role but is crucial for specific functions like tourism and international relations.
English as a Foreign Language (EFL)
EFL is a term used to refer to learning and using the English language as an additional language by people from a non-English speaking country. It has become an essential practice in many countries due to the "going global" of English.
Scholars have suggested several models of "simplified English" for teaching it as a foreign language that helps students of different levels comfortably learn it and become proficient. These are:
Threshold level English – developed by Van Ek and Alexander
Basic global English – developed by Joachim Grzega
Basic English – suggested by Charles Kay Ogden
Globish – developed by Jean-Paul Nerrière
Due to the English as a foreign language program, people enjoy several benefits. First, it has enabled many people to access global entertainment and internet services. The most popular internet services are generally in English and later translated to other preferred languages. If you are an English speaker, it gives you a priority to access the said services first-hand. Second, Airport announcements, street signs, and train timetables are often in English, making it easier to travel for those who understand the language. Third, global companies like Nokia have made English their official corporate language. Knowing English puts you in a favorable position if you are in any multinational organization or dealing with one.
Can one Learn English all by Himself?
I get this question every time I log into my social media account, and the answer for this is both a yes and a no. I know this is a crazy answer, but I can explain. One can learn English by himself, but it is one of the most challenging things ever to do in your life since there is no one to track your process and motivate you. Instead, I would recommend anyone to have a teacher who can act as a tracker and strictly improve standards. Learning English in this era has become easy, and it does not matter whether you are a beginner or an elementary. All you need is persistence, determination, and hard work to achieve or have advanced English skills. There are many schools and online platforms to learn English. Depending on your online or offline education choice, you can choose the best fit for you. These institutions have adopted various strategies to ensure the best services ever. One thing they can ask is whether you want to be a full-time or a part-time learner. Let me highlight a few institutions that offer English learning: