VIU_Magazine_Summer_2017

VIU.EDU
“Many successful
stories could happen
when someone learns
to speak English.”
ENGLISH
BY THE NUMBERS
English is the most widespread language
in the world and increases the chances of
getting a job
One out of 5 people understands English.
offered in the United States because of her Filipino accent. On
the other hand, English has a great impact on many speakers,
whether as native or second language speakers. Many successful
stories could happen when someone learns to speaks English.
During the Middle Eastern refugee crisis, we’ve seen how
English helped many migrants who looked for better lives in
Europe, Canada, Australia, United States and many other English
speaking countries.
Yassen is a Syrian refugee. He managed to flee to the US before
the executive order of president Trump’s travel ban of seven
Muslim-majority countries. Yaseen escaped from the tragic
civilian war looking for safer and a better life for his family. He
did not speak English when he first arrived. During his stay
in the US, he integrated with the American community. He
started to speak English which helped him be more productive.
Yaseen found support from one of his friends whom he met
while in the US. This friend helped him open a restaurant; the
restaurant evolved and helped Yaseen participate in elevating his
community and also spend some income on charity.
700 million speak English as a 2nd or 3rd
language.
1.3 billion are students of English every year.
Four out of the top 5 biggest companies.
in the world speak English as their primary
language.
More than 65% of websites are made in
English.
80% of business communications worldwide
take place in English.
A friend of mine was among those privileged people who
learned English early in their life. It was a result of self-learning
and internal motivation. Consequently, English became his
best tool in life and seems to be his gift. Somehow, all major
changes in his life are connected to the English language. With
the help of English, he found an appropriate job. He was able
to communicate with others whom he was not sharing with
a common language. He seems to be better than others in
achieving his goals which were mainly connected to English.
No matter what opinion you have on English. It is one of the
most powerful tools in the present world. And it will have a
magical effect on you at some point in your life.
References
Tollefson, J. 2000, ‘Policy and ideology in the spread of English’, in J. K.
Hall & W Egginton (eds), The sociopolitics of English language teaching,
Multilingual Matters, Clevedon, Great Britain.
Summer 2017 University Magazine, VIU
27