Unit-01: English is an international language
Lesson-1 : English: Bangladesh and Global Context
Broad Question:
Q. Do you think English is a global language? Argue your opinion.
Or, Explain ‘‘English is an international language’’
Answer:
English is a global language and international language. English is the most frequently used language for communication with people from different countries. When we consider English as a means of communication, it can be addressed by different names such as international language, global language, and lingua franca. Each name has different features. In defining an international language, Smith (1976) contends that a language which is used to communicate with people from different nations is called an international language. McKay (2003) notes that in global sense of EIL, the primary function of English language is to ‘enable speakers to share with others their ideas and culture’. Jenkins (2012) defines EFL as a means of communication as a common language of choice, among speakers who come from different linguacultural (language and cultural) circumstances.
To be a global language, a language needs to achieve a global status. According to David Crystal (2003), when English is a global language, it can be given official status of a country, to be used as a medium of communication in such domains as government, the law courts, the media, and the education system. In addition, a language can be made a priority in a country‘s foreign language teaching, even though this language may have no official status.
Today 1.75 billion people speak English at a useful level (Neeley, 2012). Among them there are 400 million native speakers (Crystal, 2003, p.67), 600 million speak English as a second language, and 600 million speak English as a foreign language. More than 80% of communication in English is held between non-native speakers of English (Crystal, 2003). Similarly, Graddol (2006) projects that in the next 10–15 years, the number of English speakers is likely to reach a peak of around 2 billion. In view of the above discussion, it can be undoubtedly said that English as a global language and English as an international language is widely respected throughout the world.
Q. Why should we learn English?
Answer:
Nowadays, English is exercising a very prominent role in Bangladesh. Here are some reasons why people in Bangladesh study English.
- To study abroad.
- To pass examinations.
- To understand English literature.
- To do research most textbooks are in English.
- To read English newspapers, books and magazines.
- For higher study in Bangladesh most textbooks are in English.
- To travel to other countries.
- To use the internet and e-mail.
- To do International businesses.
- To communicate with foreigners and tourists in Bangladesh.
- To watch English films and TV programme.
- To migrate to other countries.
- To get jobs in Bangladesh -for example, in Government service or with an NGO.
- To work abroad.
Q. Why is it necessary for primary school teacher to learn English? Give some relevant reasons in support of your opinion.
Answer:
In 1996 the Bangladesh government introduces the communicative English in the English language teaching in primary schools. In this method students are encouraged to practice four basic skills of a language; reading, writing, speaking, and listening. At present most of the students are weak in all these four basic skills of English language. As a result in the existing situation teaching and learning of English language at the primary schools in Bangladesh are of very low standard. And as a result most of the students face difficulties to communicate in English. Keeping in mind the present standard of English language teaching and to overcome the major challenges of teaching English language at the primary level in Bangladesh I think all the primary school teachers must have a strong feeling of learning English language very well. I also think after learning better English they will be able to be more communicative in their classrooms and as a result this will create a congenial environment in the classrooms for communicative English. This will also help them to use communicative English language teaching methodology in primary school.
Q. Why is English important for the people all over the world?
Or, Why do people of Bangladesh study English?
Answer:
English is a foreign language to us. It is an international language which plays vital role in Bangladesh for its vast utilization for higher education, administration, international trade and commerce related with Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, thousands of people are learning and using English for various valuable purposes in different ways. Beside this English is the most familiar and widely used foreign language in Bangladesh. The reason behind it is that English is taught formally form the beginning of class one. At one time English was the medium of education. At present we are using English for different essential purposes I,e, higher studies , corresponding with foreign country for business and commerce, travel and English is also compulsory up to graduation level. So it can be illustrated that the English language is the language which is utilized not only Bangladesh but also in the whole world to maintain the worldliness in all spheres of leading life. The whole world will not do without English. Bangladeshis progress is mostly relied on the development of teaching and learning of English. So it can be said that English is a powerful international language which is vastly used all over the world.
Q. Write the features of first language, second language and foreign language?
Answer:
Some important features of first language, second language, and foreign language are as below:
First language:
- First experience of language learning process;
- Begins at 2-3years of age;
- Learn from the society where he or she lives in;
- Learn through imitation, repetition, connection, and practice;
- An almost automatic process of learning;
- Learn speaking and listening skills first;
- Extensive practice lead to studying literature in the language;
- Emphasis on accuracy;
- Learn rules of the language;
- Acquire proficiency in the language;
Second language:
- Second experience of learning process;
- Begins at 5-6 years of age;
- Additional learning of language;
- Learn through practice;
- Learn almost like L1;
- Acquire four skills of language;
- Learn rules of language;
- Can study literature;
- Emphasis on accuracy;
Foreign language:
- Learn at any age;
- Learn through practice;
- Quite different from learning L1 or L2;
- Rules (grammar)is less important;
- Learn structures ;
- Communication is the target;
- Emphasis on fluency;
- Make a lot of mistakes;
- Mistakes are important only when it hampers communication
- May not study literature;
Short question
Q. What is the status of English in Bangladesh? Why?
Answer: The status of English in Bangladesh: the status of English in Bangladesh is EFL (English as a foreign language) In Bangladesh before 1971.The situation was ESL. Since Bangla become the official languages of the Country. The status of English has changed and is now taught as a foreign language. Due to socio-political reasons, the status of English in Bangladesh is EFL.
Q. What does stand for –ENL, EMT,EFL, ESL, EIL, EGL, ELF & EFT?
Answer:
ENL – English as a native language.
EMT – English as a mother tongue.
EFL – English as a foreign language.
ESL – English as a second language.
EIL – English as an international language.
EGL – English as a global language.
ELF – English as a lingua franca.
EFT – English for today.
Q. What does ENL mean?
Answer:
ENL mean English as a native language. English is taught as a native language where English is the main language of the majority of the population. The most prominent geographical areas of ENL are Australia, Canada, England(UK), The Irish republic, Liberia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland(UK), Scotland(UK), South Africa, Wales(UK), and the United State.
Q. What does mother tongue means?
Answer:
Mother tongue: The language which a baby acquires from its mother, its natural surroundings and its own experience is called mother tongue. Bangla is our mother tongue. The English is taught as a native language or mother tongue are Australia, Canada, England(UK), The Irish republic, Liberia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland(UK), Scotland(UK), South Africa, Wales(UK), and the United State.
Q. What does EFL mean?
Answer:
EFL Mean English as a foreign language. A language you learn after your first language is called foreign language. English is taught as foreign language where English is not used much in the daily life of people, but English is learned at schools. In such countries, there is limited scope to use English out if the classroom. In Japan, China, Indonesia and The Middle East countries – English is treated as a foreign language.
Q. What does Second language mean?
Answer:
As a second language in countries where English is not the primary language but is an important and an official language Second language: The language which is not the primary language but is an important and an official language of the country. It is officially recognized.
English is taught and also were colonies of the English speaking countries. Bangladesh, Botswana, Cameroon, Cyprus, Fiji, Ghana, etc countries are prominent ESL.
Q. What is the status of English in Bangladesh? Why?
Answer:
The status of English in Bangladesh is EFL (English as a foreign language). In Bangladesh, before 1971, the situation was ESL. Since bangla become the official language of the country the status of English has changed and is now taught as a foreign language. Due to socio- political reasons the status of English in Bangladesh is EFL.
Q. What are the different of second language and foreign language?
Answer:
| Second language | Foreign language |
| Second language is not mother tongue of a person but used predominantly in person’s local contest. | Foreign language is also not a person’s mother tongue and not predominantly used in person’s local contest. |
| It is typically officially recognized and accepted. | It is not typically officially recognized and accepted. |
| It is a survival language | It is not a survival language |
Q. Why do you think it is important for people in Bangladesh to learn English?
Or, Why did you learn English?
Answer:
Learning English is important for the people of Bangladesh. People in Bangladesh study English to read English newspapers, books and magazines, to watch English films and TV programs, to get jobs in government service or with an NGO in Bangladesh, to study and work abroad, to understand English literature, to travel to other countries, to do international business, to use the internet and e-mail, to communicate with foreigners and tourists in Bangladesh, to pass examinations. Besides, Bangladeshi people study English for higher study and research because most of the textbooks are in English in Bangladesh.
Q. Why do you think it is important for primary-aged children to learn English?
Answer:
It is useful to teach English in the primary classroom because;
- It takes a long time to learn a language. Primary English gives students more time to learn English.
- Young children are often better at understanding and imitating spoken English. If they hear a lot lf English, they get used to listening to it, and they learn to say the words.
- Children in Bangladesh often don’t get enough opportunities to listen to or speak English outside the classroom. For some children, the classroom may be the only place where they can listen to, speak and read English.
- It prepares students for English at higher levels. when they reach class 6, the students will snow some vocabulary, and will be able to read and write some English.
- It can help students to feel positive about English as a subject. If they like English in primary, then many students will enjoy English in later classes.
Q. What is the status of English for global communication?
Answer:
There are different global status of English for communication such as English as an international language, English as a global language and English as a lingua franca.
Q. What is international language?
Answer:
A language that is spoken in many different countries of the world is international language. It is learnt as a second or foreign language in many countries of the world. This is also known as a world language.
ইংরেজি পিকে বিষয়ের আরও পোস্ট দেখুন
- English PK Hand-note; Unit-1 English as an International Language
- English PK Hand-note; Unit-2 Primary English Curriculum
- English PK Hand-note; Unit-3 Learning Style and Effective Teaching
- English PK Hand-note; Unit-4 Lesson Plan
- English PK Hand-note; Unit-5 Listening Skill
- English PK Hand-note; Unit-6 Speaking skills
দয়া করে সকলের উপকারার্থে শেয়ার করুন এবং ভবিষ্যতে নিজের ফেসবুক ওয়ালে রেখে দিন।
