1) What is Global English?

With the expression “Global language” we refer to a language that is spoken

internationally and is characterized not only by the number of native and second language

speakers but also by its geographical distribution and its use in international organizations

and in diplomatic relations. Today, English is the second or third most popular mother

tongue in the world both for native and for non-English speakers. For this reason, English is

the nearest thing there has ever been to a global language: Global English is the collection

of these different varieties of English that is spoken throughout the world.

In the 20th century English language is now used by more people than ever before in

history: we can see how the cultural influences affect the way people use English and how

new words come into everyday use.

2) History

3) English in the 20 th

century

There have been two main historical mechanisms for the spread of English: first was the

colonial expansion of Britain which resulted in settlements of English speakers in many part

of the world. This is probably a key factor in the adoption of English as a lingua franca; the

second is the role of United States in the 20th century because they have helped to ensure

that the language isn’t only at the forefront of scientific and technical knowledge, but also

leads consumer culture.

In the world today there are 3 types of English speakers, each with a different relationship

with the language: FIRST LANGUAGE SPEAKERS, for whom English is a first language;

SECOND LANGUAGE SPEAKERS, for whom English is a second or additional language and

PEOPLE LEARNING ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE. An important community for the

future development of English in the world is the “outer circle” of those who speak English

as a second language, but also the efl speakers use English for a wider range of

communicative functions.

4) Higher education

Higher education is becoming globalized alongside the economy and English is an

important key partly because universities in the English-speaking world dominate the

global league tables and partly because English become internationally for students and

teaching staff. English is used in the universities to attract teachers from around the world

and to encourage international students to enroll on its courses. The “Bologna process” is

an agreement signed in 1999 and aimed to university education using a common approach

to levels and length courses. Universities play a key role in developing knowledge

economies: in each countries there are less jobs than the numbers of local graduates. The

growth in International student mobility is likely to be slower than anticipated. Although

the creation of global eUniversities have failed, eLearning is proving to be a successful

component in “blended learning” offered by traditional institutions as well as in secondary

education.

5) Learning English

Around the world, English is taught and learned in different ways. There is a debate about

the best methods for teaching English and the result has reverted only on 2 models:

-THE TEACHING OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (EFL), which highlight the

importance of learning about the culture and society of native speakers. Learners

starting study a foreign language before the age of 11 or 12: they study the language

focusing on grammar, native speakers pronunciation and literature.

-THE TEACHING OF ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL), which have been two

methods of development: the first method was used by the British empire to teach

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1) What is Global English? With the expression “Global language” we refer to a language that is spoken internationally and is characterized not only by the number of native and second language speakers but also by its geographical distribution and its use in international organizations and in diplomatic relations. Today, English is the second or third most popular mother tongue in the world both for native and for non-English speakers. For this reason, English is the nearest thing there has ever been to a global language: Global English is the collection of these different varieties of English that is spoken throughout the world. In the 20th^ century English language is now used by more people than ever before in history: we can see how the cultural influences affect the way people use English and how new words come into everyday use. **2) History

English in the 20th**^ century There have been two main historical mechanisms for the spread of English: first was the colonial expansion of Britain which resulted in settlements of English speakers in many part of the world. This is probably a key factor in the adoption of English as a lingua franca; the second is the role of United States in the 20th^ century because they have helped to ensure that the language isn’t only at the forefront of scientific and technical knowledge, but also leads consumer culture. In the world today there are 3 types of English speakers , each with a different relationship with the language: FIRST LANGUAGE SPEAKERS , for whom English is a first language; SECOND LANGUAGE SPEAKERS , for whom English is a second or additional language and PEOPLE LEARNING ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE. An important community for the future development of English in the world is the “outer circle” of those who speak English as a second language, but also the efl speakers use English for a wider range of communicative functions. 4) Higher education Higher education is becoming globalized alongside the economy and English is an important key partly because universities in the English-speaking world dominate the global league tables and partly because English become internationally for students and teaching staff. English is used in the universities to attract teachers from around the world and to encourage international students to enroll on its courses. The “Bologna process” is an agreement signed in 1999 and aimed to university education using a common approach to levels and length courses. Universities play a key role in developing knowledge economies: in each countries there are less jobs than the numbers of local graduates. The growth in International student mobility is likely to be slower than anticipated. Although the creation of global eUniversities have failed, eLearning is proving to be a successful component in “blended learning” offered by traditional institutions as well as in secondary education. 5) Learning English Around the world, English is taught and learned in different ways. There is a debate about the best methods for teaching English and the result has reverted only on 2 models:

THE TEACHING OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (EFL), which highlight the importance of learning about the culture and society of native speakers. Learners starting study a foreign language before the age of 11 or 12: they study the language focusing on grammar, native speakers pronunciation and literature.
THE TEACHING OF ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL), which have been two methods of development: the first method was used by the British empire to teach

local people sufficient English to allow the administration of large areas of the world; the second was used in the USA where immigrants had to be integrated with a new national identify. The starting age is from birth to retired and the content are variable. EFL and ESL represent the twin tradition in English Language teaching both born in the 19th century. Nowadays, there is an approach to bilingual education called CLIL in both curriculum content and English are taught together. It is a way of teaching a curriculum subject with the use of a language that is still being learned but also a way of teaching English through study of a specialist content. Teachers have to know not only the subject content and disciplinary language but also the practical problem-solving and classroom management. CLIL is used in secondary schools and requires a cultural change of a kind which is often difficult to bring about within educational institutions. Teaching and learning English as a lingua franca (ELF) is the most radical and controversial approach to emerge in recent years. It focuses on pragmatic strategies required in intercultural speaker who retains a national identify in terms of accent and who also has the special skills required to negotiate understanding with another non-native speaker. Across the world the age at which children start learning English has been lowering. In a lot of countries children start to learn English at the kindergarten to develop language awareness and prepare for higher levels. Content are activity-based, play, songs, games. All education at this age has strong moral and ideological components which usually reflect local: children are less able to take responsibility for their own learning. Governments talk about an ambition to make their country bilingual because in these countries, English is regarded as a component of basic education. 6) English around the world The Council of Europe’s language policies have provided a new focus for foreign language across Europe. This new model represents an ideological project to improve citizens’ positive attitude towards linguistic diversity and to promote the learning of several languages. One of the weaknesses of the European project is that English has become a common working language. In some countries this status of English in Europe is causing resentment. In a lot of countries, English has become the first foreign language in education systems , often replacing another language from that position. English has been spoken in India from colonial days, but it is difficult to estimate exactly how many people in India speak English. One reason is the very range of skills and another is that Indian states evolved very different. India is only one of many countries to exploit its English-speaking colonial heritage and connect to the global economy. However, China leads the way of change in the region: in 2001 China decided to make English compulsory in primary schools from Grade 3. More people are now learning English in China than in any other countries. China’s decision has had an inspiring impact on neighboring countries where enthusiasm for English was in decline. The spread the English through India, the Caribbean and Australia has brought to mix English and native languages. Each place the English ruled, the language was considered correct and the use of local languages discouraged. In Wales the law required the exclusive use of English in classroom, so students caught speaking Welsh were punished. Language is also a tribal symbol: sometimes people don’t get along because they speak different languages, even though they share the same national identify. In Ireland exists a national variety of English with its own distinct literature called Irish English or Hiberno-English. It is one of the oldest varieties of English that has influenced other varieties beyond Ireland. English was brought to Ireland with the Norman invasion of

With the spreading of English, also potential sources of teachers spread: the teaching is becoming a service in all over the world.

- Protecting local languages and identities One of the main challenges facing many countries is how to maintain their identity in the face of globalization and growing multilingualism. In some countries, the use of languages other than the national language is banned in public spaces. There is a case to maintain the “purity” of the language. English is one of the most hybrid and rapidly changing languages in the world. The need to protect national languages is a recent phenomenon which the key domain is the public communication facilitated by technology. The importance of early education in the mother tongue has long been recognized; problems are ignored : first, bilingualism ; second, term mother tongue education. This argument is important for national identity. Arguments about the priorities of different languages in education and the best age to start learning them, hide the issue about cognitive learning styles. Another problem relates to the form of English learned is that learners should adopt a native speaker accent. - Beyond English If global English makes the transition from “foreign language” to basic skill, it seems to generate an even greater need for other language. A survey by the UK Centre for Information on Language Teaching showed that more that 60 languages are spoken in Britain, promoting bilingualism. In December 2005, the US Defence Department launched a programme for native speakers of CRITICAL LANGUAGES to national security: in 2006, President Bush announced the “National Security language initiative”. - Managing the change The key to understanding the impact of global English is how well and how strategically its implementation is managed in each country. If a country decides to make English their second language, the reality is that they will make a project that will mature in 30-50 years. Language education needs an approach which is highly flexible and responsive to a fast changing world. Countries have discovered that is impossible to attract the numbers required, with the teaching skills and experience needed. - The economic advantage English use is increasing around the world at a time when more people in the UK are seeking out teachers of other languages. But the cost of learning English is low, while the cost of learning other languages is high. This is probably the main reason for that British citizens don’t learn other languages. UK citizens desire to learn languages but it becomes harder for native speakers to tap into a multilingual environment.

The Rise of English as a Global Language: History, Impact, and Challenges - Prof. Christia, Dispense di Lingua Inglese

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