Exploring English:

language and culture

WEEK 1: ENGLISH
ACTIVITY 1.3
TRANSCRIPT:
NICOLE: Hi. My names Nicole and Ill be working with you on this course.
Now, people often say that English is a world language and its true that English is spoken
and studied all over the world. This week, well look at some of the reasons why
English is a world language.
By the end of the week, youll be able to talk and write more fluently about why and
how - youre learning English, and what English means to you.
We know that people learn English for many different reasons to help them
communicate at work, to help them study courses in English or perhaps just for fun. We
also know that learning English is not always easy - it can be hard work. We asked three
people whove learnt English how they feel about speaking English. Lets have a look at
what they said:
Fernando from Brazil said:
In English I see myself as a stronger and more confident man. I can hear changes in my
voice. It gets deeper and more serious. I think of myself as an older person when I speak
English.
And this is what Anne-Lise from Denmark said:
English is a much richer, more subtle and more beautiful language than my mother
tongue. Speaking it makes me feel Im the person I was always meant to be.
And finally, Mahwish from Pakistan said:
Speaking English helps me to understand British culture and at the same time gives me a
better understanding of my own culture from other peoples perspective.
Weve heard some interesting ideas and opinions there. Speaking English can make
people feel like a different, older person or, as Anna said, Speaking English makes me
feel like the person I was meant to be those are quite strong feelings.
But how about you? Did you agree with any of our learners? Or perhaps you completely
disagreed. Id like you now to think about how you feel about English.

Exploring English: language and culture

British Council 2014