The future of an English Speaking world

When we take a look at the globalized world we are living in, we can
evidently remark the role English has played in the construction of a
society breaking boundaries and seeking for international economic,
political and educational benefits. Since the rise of English as the
worlds major language during the last decades, native speakers of
English rejoice in the idea of leading the global markets. However the
future of English seems to be doomed, Robert Graddol, a British
linguist has done a research to analyze the function of the English
language and the conditions which has kept it in such an important
position. In his book English Next published by the British Council he
explores an interesting perspective concerning some predictions for
the English language, especially one that has to do with the way it is
taught, according to Graddle we are now facing The death of EFL,
multilingual speakers will become more competitive than those who
only speak English.
David Graddol analyses the international
situation of English from many angles; in part one he studies the
economic, technological and social changes English has brought to
this postmodern time. On the other hand, part two emphasizes on the
education matters, especially those related to the relationship
between English and universities and the revolution of the learning
and teaching English at a global level.
The rising of English language importance has been evident through
the last decade all over the world. Its considered the lingua franca of
the 21stcentury and mainly used for business. In chapter one the
author states how English has influenced and shaped different fields
in peoples life and the consequences of such interference. One of the
reasons of the accelerate globalization were currently facing is due to
the possibility of communication through countries using one
language to do so, something that we have to thank English for.
However, the spreading of English has caused a cultural impact and
division in families due to the immigration and rapid social changes
new generations have been exposed to; having as a result the
creation of gaps between relatives and the loss of traditional values.
Although not all of the consequences are affecting minority
communities; developed countries have opened the work doors to
young bilingual population immigrants which has given the
opportunity to less developed societies to have better living

conditions besides motivating the population to become more

competent.
Now, speaking of a massive phenomenon called Internet that has
certainly approached the big world we live in, the author presents
really interesting data that can show a not far future regarding to the
relevance English will have. English is not longer the only show in
town. Other languages now challenge the dominance of English in
some regions (page 62). There is no doubt English is the business,
news and international relationships language, still some other
languages like Chinese, Spanish and Arabic are gaining power even in
English speaking countries. Nowadays, important web sites and news
channels are written and presented in other languages different than
English. Will this be the end of the English reign? It is actually hard to
tell because of the constant changes in the world interests but we can
affirm that knowing more than one language is the trend.
In Part two, Graddol considers the revolution in education led by the
use of English as the language for research and higher education.
Nevertheless he emphasizes on the loss of power English is
experiencing since new students will need to be more competitive
and prove to have innovative skills more than mastering English as a
foreign language. Rather than achieving well-established goals. It is
now about institutionalizing flexibility, creativity and innovation and
the management skills required to generate and cope with constant
change (page 7). English will become a basic skill, the role of
education will then be to encourage students to discover new ways to
get practical knowledge which make them more proactive before
future changes; as Graddel states the role of education in school is
now seen as to provide the generic skills needed to acquire new
knowledge and specialist skills in the future: learning how to learn.
Graddel also highlights the fact that education has to deal with a
globalized world in which teachers will have to take into consideration
students background, diversity in the class to adapt education to
students needs.
When it comes down to higher education, Graddel does recognize the
role of English in the process of internationalization of universities and
how they gain prestige and renown creating now a global academic
competition and producing an educational race. If an institution
wishes to become a center of international excellence, it needs both
to attract teachers and researches form around the world, and to
encourage international students to enroll on its courses, enriching
the universitys prestige, revenue, and intellectual climate.

Universities represent also a force that promotes economic, as their

countries produce professionals that compete in international markets
or they supply of workforce for local needs. It is also visible that the
English speaking countries used to represent the best destinations to
undertake higher education; however they are experiencing a
decreasing in the number of students coming each year. Students are
now considering the advantages of countries in where English is a
second language. On the other hand elearning has proven to be
successful in traditional education but not in higher education where
the concept of euniversities has not been having a good impact;
however universities have been working on creating bonds or joint
ventures to improve their intellectual environment.
As long as this century continues growing and improving in matter of
technology, politics, economy and others; English will play an
important role in peoples lives. Graddol has shown all of the influence
this language has had in several aspects of the current era. However,
the projection of the world for the coming years has proved that
needs are going to change and just being able to communicate in
English wont be enough.

By:
Sneider Cardona
Melanie Nez

Ideas
1. Native speakers of English rejoice in the idea of leading the
global markets. However the future of English seems to be
doomed.
2. According to Graddol we are now facing: the death of EFL,
multilingual speakers will become more competitive than those
who only speak English.
3. English will become a basic skill, the role of education will then
be to encourage students to discover new ways to get practical
knowledge which make them more proactive before future
changes.
4. Graddol also highlights the fact that education has to deal with
a globalized world in which teachers will have to take into
consideration students background, diversity in the class to
adapt education to students needs.
5. It is also visible that the English speaking countries used to
represent the best destinations to undertake higher education;
however they are experiencing a decreasing in the number of
students coming each year.
6. Students are now considering the advantages of countries in
where English is a second language.
7. universities have been working on creating bonds or joint
ventures to improve their intellectual environment putting aside
English speakers interests.
8. As long as this century continues growing and improving in
matter of technology, politics, economy and others; English will
play an important role in peoples lives
9. The distribution of poverty will be strongly related to the
distributions of English.

10.
The lack of English wont be a disadvantage on internet,
th English native user of internet have declined in the last
years.
11.
Since Internet is recently more used for local
communication, English will become useless in some
communities
12.
There is a competition between the non-native speakers
and the English speakers looking for a way to dominate the
worlds media.
13.
English as the global language has allowed us to
appreciate a greater diversity of viewpoints
14.
Some other foreign languages are working their way to
transform the media.
15.
It is visible that the middle classes and specially people
living in urban areas are the ones who use the English
language.
16.
English has changed the way people communicate,
people are now creating smaller groups letting aside their
communities and becoming more related to separated
individuals
17.
As globalization makes its course, there will be a
generational gap, families will be divided by the multiple
differences in the way every family member thinks and
interacts.
18.
English is now threatened by the growing in native
speakers of other languages such as Chinese and Spanish.
19.
We are facing the end of globalization; it may be possible
that all this search for a united world will lead to the separation
and the emergence of new kind of social groups.
20.
Particular interest will take over the power when English
ends is era of dominance, some national languages will
encourage individuality and nationalism.