ENGLISH IN THE WORLD

In almost every country, English is the key to getting ahead, and in some, like communist
Poland, it is the way of getting out. Teaching English as a second language has become
a multimillion-dollar business the world over. According to a Director, English is the most
profitable business in Colombia, next to drug trafficking.
The English language boom stems from* a variety of sources; English is the tong that
Japanese businessmen use to negotiate a deal with the Kuwaitis. It is how Swedes speak
to Mexicans, how Hong Kong bankers work in Singapour. English is becoming a requirement for
job promotion and higher salaries. In Mexico, English-speaking secretaries can double their
wages; in Egypt, their pay goes up 10 times. English is not valuable; its an absolute necessity.
Yet Americans, owners of that language, have the reputation for being global illiterates; only one
in 10 can speak another language. Few Americans study foreign languages extensively and few
American schools and universities ask them to. According to an American teacher, we want
everyone else to learn about us more than we want to learn about them. Therefore
the following joke: what do you call a person who speaks three languages? - a trilingual.
Two languages? a bilingual. One language? an American.
Resistance to English is also widespread in some countries. More than a dozen of them have
tried to limit the use of English, to promote their native tongues. But only one language,
however, offers a serious challenge as a tongue of global communication- French. For former
President Pompidou, we must not let the idea take take hold that English is the only possible
instrument for industrial , economic and scientific communication. He set up government
committees to abolish Anglicism and to invent suitable French alternatives. Thus in France,
there is a will to defend the French language.
(ADAPTED)

Vocabulary:
*To stem from: to have as origin
QUESTIONS
1. In your own words, state the reasons why English is so worldwide.
2. What do you think of Americans attitude to languages?
3. How can we limit the use of foreign languages in our country and promote a local
tongue?
4. Explain Mr. Pompidous opinion we mustnt.communication.
ESSAY: Is it useful or useless to learn foreign languages at school? Give your reasons.
GRAMMAR:
1. Put the following sentences into the passive voice:
a. She likes people to look at her.
b. They will deal with the problem of taxes later on.
c. People said that bananas were better than apples.
d. The authorities have promised us higher salaries.
2. Complete with a suitable preposition.
a. Janie smiled..the boy sitting next to her.
b. The two countries were fighting..for a little strip of land.
3. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense:
a. The poor woman couldnt help (to think) of her lost child.
b. I might have stayed if she (to feel) better.
c. That girl hoped (can) to travel all over the world.
d. They (cannot- to wait) for you tomorrow afternoon.
4. Put the words in brackets in the right place in the sentence:
a. My family doesnt have money for my school fees (enough).
b. Mr. Ako is drunk (always).