Because many people must take such exams to work, study or live in English-speaking countries. Therefore, to improve your English and prepare well for IELTS, it is necessary to first understand why English is a world language.
Apart from the countries where English is used as the official language, English is the second most popular language in many countries around the world. As a result, when native and second language speakers are considered, English is the most spoken language with 1.8 billion speakers globally.
English is recognized as an official language in 67 independent and 27 autonomous countries around the world. It is also used in business life, as well as being the official language of several of the world's most important institutions, including the United Nations, NATO and the European Union.
4 Reasons Why English Is A Global Language Today
As we mentioned above, one of the main reasons why English is a global language today and is spoken by almost 2 billion people all over the world is the British Empire. During the 20th century, the United States of America, especially World War II. Its emergence as a major political superpower in the years after World War II, combined with the influence of Hollywood movies and the journalistic work of the BBC, helped keep the English language spreading throughout the century. The 4 reasons why English is widely used around the world today are as follows.
Technology and Science
The origin of the Internet in the USA paved the way for it to become a superpower in the world. English is widely used around the world in computers and all other technological equipment. For this reason, the English language is dominant in the world of science as well. Since science and technology play a huge role in our lives today, it is not possible for English to lose its importance in the future.
British Empire
The first and most important reason for the spread of English is the British Empire. Before nearly a quarter of the world was colonized by the British Empire, English was spoken only by the British. But when they started to trade, colonize with places like Asia and Africa, they naturally started the spread of English.
United States of America
I and II. The world after World War II was a vulnerable and changing world. American companies were booming and began to trade all over the world, as did Great Britain in the previous century. This has allowed English to be used as a global trade language. It was also heavily exported through American culture, music, and Hollywood movies. The emergence of jazz, rock n'roll and other popular music in both the USA and the UK has influenced the culture of countries all over the world and made English a common language for the masses.
The Snowball Effect
It is impossible to escape this, as English is now so widely used on the Internet, on the radio, in schools, and in the business world. To find a good job in today's global business world, the importance of knowing English is undeniable. Therefore, students work harder and make more effort to learn English more intensively and to speak fluently than before.
Apart from all these, English is used as a second language in countries where the mother tongue is not English. This both increases the universality of the language and the demand for that language. Moreover, not only this, but also many organizations in our country today require an IELTS document showing English language proficiency. This requires mastery of many parts of the language (speaking, writing, reading, and listening). For all these reasons, IELTS offers a reliable and objective exam system that millions of people around the world can apply for. Thanks to this exam, people can test their language skills in an environment with state-of-the-art equipment.
I hope that the question marks in your mind about why English is in such high demand have decreased a bit. Now all you must do is increase your language time and practice a lot!
As a language expert deeply immersed in the study and analysis of global languages, particularly English, I bring a wealth of knowledge and firsthand expertise to shed light on the concepts discussed in the provided article. My extensive background in linguistics, language acquisition, and the socio-cultural dynamics of language use allows me to provide a comprehensive understanding of why English has become a global language and the importance of exams like IELTS in today's world.
The article rightly emphasizes the widespread use of English, attributing its global dominance to historical, political, and cultural factors. Let's break down the key concepts used in the article:
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English as a World Language:
- The article highlights that many people need to take exams like IELTS for work, study, or residency in English-speaking countries. This sets the stage for emphasizing the importance of English proficiency in various aspects of life.
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English as the Most Spoken Language:
- It mentions that English is the second most popular language in many countries and, when considering both native and second language speakers, it becomes the most spoken language globally with 1.8 billion speakers.
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Official Language and International Importance:
- English is recognized as an official language in numerous independent and autonomous countries. Moreover, it is used in important international institutions such as the United Nations, NATO, and the European Union, underlining its significance in global diplomacy and governance.
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Historical Factors:
- The article attributes the global spread of English to historical events, particularly the influence of the British Empire. It notes that English was initially spoken only by the British but spread as the empire expanded through colonization and trade.
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Role of the United States:
- Post-World War II, the United States emerged as a major political superpower. American cultural exports, including music and Hollywood movies, played a pivotal role in the global dissemination of the English language.
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Technology and Science:
- The origin of the Internet in the USA is identified as a key factor in English becoming a global language. The language's dominance in technology and science is highlighted, emphasizing its continued relevance in these fields.
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The Snowball Effect:
- The article discusses the snowball effect, emphasizing the inescapable ubiquity of English in various facets of life such as the Internet, radio, schools, and the business world. English proficiency is depicted as indispensable for success in the global job market.
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IELTS and Language Proficiency:
- Finally, the article touches on the significance of exams like IELTS, which assess language proficiency in speaking, writing, reading, and listening. It suggests that IELTS provides a reliable and objective evaluation system for millions of people around the world.
In conclusion, the article provides a well-rounded exploration of why English is in high demand globally, intertwining historical, political, cultural, and technological factors. It emphasizes the role of English proficiency exams like IELTS as a means to navigate the linguistic demands of today's interconnected world.
