Step up with English
SHAKESPEARE wrote in As You Like It ,“All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players”. Truer words have never been written.
The world has become a global village with the march of technology and communication. It is becoming a stage for humans to act out our parts.
For us to live our lives to the fullest, communication becomes a valuable tool that helps us cross borders and cultures.
Today, English is a common language of choice – we use it in business, banking, academia, travel, entertainment and politics, among others.
While mother tongues have their place in society, it is English that overcomes boundaries. It is important to know that this language is a necessity if one is to conduct business transactions on a large scale, for example.
Living under a shell will never do if one is to establish ties globally and make the most of the opportunities given.
English learners complain that the rules of English are that there are no rules. However, the eccentricities of the language and its rich background make it more attractive. Where else can you find jokes about the oddities and peculiarities of grammar?
In learning English, we also learn about the literature. The wonderful words of William Shakespeare, Jane Austen or F. Scott Fitzgerald open new vistas of experiences, enrich our lives as well as give us different perspectives and insight into a world long gone.
We improve through these experiences, in learning, analysing, understanding and enjoying the language of these great writers who have lived in worlds that we can imagine through the beauty of their language. Why else do we learn literature if not to make our own lives better and richer?
English has adapted to the changing times well. The Oxford English Dictionary has included several current words in th dictionary, thereby officially increas breadth and span of the language it
I remember when the term “elect mail” was used many years ago. It w strange and a noun. It has since bee abbreviated to the word “e-mail”.
As men and women on a global s have no valid reason for not wantin learn English. It is all around us – on billboards that we see along the hig television programmes and movies the e-mails that we read and send o the news that we read or listen to ea
We cannot change the fact that tu centres are mushrooming everywh offering English classes or holiday programmes for English.
We cannot deny the fact that new international schools have appeared offering an English-medium curriculum.
It is a simple case of demand and supply – the demand for English has created a booming market for enterprising people. At the same time, these schools recognise the value and importance of English in a shrinking world.
As we immerse ourselves in making a success of our lives, make our way up the corporate ladder or stay ahead in the rat race of life, English is here to stay.
A check on the Internet reveals that there are about 375 million native English speakers and 750 million individuals who speak English as a second language.
Yes, English is here to stay in all its glory – grammar, history and literature. – By Chong Soh Nee, head of secondary at elc International School