Language is the most essential means for interacting and communicating with other people.  In our current era of globalization, the English language has figured prominently in every sector of our modern world more than any language spoken at this time. This becomes a very good reason to learn English today. 

Whilst English is not the most widely spoken language in the world in terms of its native speakers, it is the most widely spoken.  It has been estimated that 1.8 billion people speak the language out of the planet’s population of 6 billion.  Approximately 309 to 400 million speak it as their first language, and about 375 million speak it as their second language.  This is as of 2006. 

Modern English is often referred to as the first global lingua franca.  It is the dominant language used in diplomacy, media, business, science and research, technology, academics, aerial and maritime communications, as well as in entertainment.

English is adopted as the official language in 53 countries.  In international diplomacy, English is one of the official languages of the United Nations, European Union, European Free Trade Association, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.  Diplomats and politicians from different countries use English to communicate with each other.  This is since the language is now globally recognized.  Moreover, many government offices around the world regard English as an ideal language for official transactions and businesses.

In terms of accessible knowledge, there exists an enormous amount of information expressed in English.  These include printed materials, such as books, magazines, and newspapers.  When books are translated from a different language, more often than not, these translations are made in English.  In addition, English-language magazines and newspapers can be bought in almost every part of the world.  Some of the most recognized English-language publications are Time, Newsweek, Forbes, The Reader’s Digest, and the International Herald Tribune.

Most of the scientific, technological, and academic information in the world are also written and expressed in English.  English is the standard used in the field of science as the terminologies are often more stable and well-known other than the terminologies used for other languages.  Moreover, many researchers from all over the world know English and use it often.  In fact, 95% of the articles in the Science Citation Index in 1997 were written in English, while only 50% of these articles have come from English-speaking countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. 

The internet is part of this vast information resource which is based on the English language.  As the internet is invented in the west, English was naturally built into it.  Today, the internet quickly grows in importance as it encompasses more and more aspects of the humanity’s modern lives--from education and business to entertainment and hobbies.  As most pages on the web are in English and as it is quickly replacing traditional methods of communication, it becomes more evident that even a basic grasp of the language would be advantageous in accessing these readily available information.

The broadcast media is not excluded from falling into this trend.  About 70% of radio stations from all over the world conduct their programs in English.  It is not uncommon to hear of an interview conducted in English, in spite of the interviewer and the interviewee speaking the same native tongue.  Furthermore, renowned international television networks, such as the BBC and CNN International are broadcasted all over the world, keeping anyone abreast with international current affairs.

When it comes to commerce and economics, an excellent proficiency in English is increasingly becoming a determinant in one’s success in employment and business.  A wide range of studies in the United States have shown that an immigrant’s fluency in English is the single-most important factor in determining his or her advancement in the American society.  A study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the city’s immigrants revealed a strong connection between low median earnings and low levels of English fluency.  On the other hand, some businesses employ immigrants into their company on working visas to alleviate operational costs.  Certainly, a command of the English language would put any prospective job seeker into that position.

In addition, international business today is done in English.  For instance, the six country-members of the European Free Trade association use English as one of their languages.  When Volkswagen opened a factory in Shanghai, China, they used English for communication between German engineers and Chinese managers. This is since both were not proficient in speaking the other’s language.  The truck-making company Iveco was started by four companies from Switzerland, Italy, France, and Germany in 1977.  These companies agreed to use English as Iveco’s official language.

Outsourcing and offshore transactions have also become an increasing trend in international business.  This provides more employment opportunities for residents of non-English speaking countries, particularly for those who are proficient in the language.

Even the fields of leisure and entertainment have also been predominated by the English language.  Popular Western culture is transmitted in this language.  These take the form of music, contemporary literature and movies, in which the most famous of such are from Hollywood.  One of 20th century’s extraordinarily well-crafted literary work is JRR Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings”.  Every sentence, paragraph, and chapter in his novel is not only grammatically perfect, but often has dramatic impact.  A full appreciation of this literary masterpiece would not be possible without an understanding and proficiency of the language it was written in, which is the English language.

At present, learning English is clearly an invaluable asset.  Learning the global lingua franca gives its user an edge and the advantage to get a head start in this increasingly globally competitive world.  Fortunately, for non-English speakers, a vast resource is readily available for anyone who wishes to be fluent and proficient in the English language.

The traditional way of learning any new language is taking a class or a course on the targeted language.  These classes usually take 3 to 5 hours a week.  Most colleges and universities use English in their instruction or have it interwoven in their academics.  However, some universities and colleges, particularly in the United States, have English as a Second Language (ESL) courses offered to its students.  An alternative to these are language schools.  Language schools are generally small organizations that may be entirely independent or affiliated with a larger higher learning institution, such as a university.

The primary advantage in taking up a language class is, obviously, instruction.  An instructor, who ideally has years of training and experience in using or speaking the language, is present to discuss the grammar and correct usage.  Language classes are also interactive, where questions and corrections are immediately addressed.  Moreover, it creates a psychological effect where it forces the student to give the subject more time and attention.  Self-study is often easily brushed off, but taking a class creates motivation.  This is since there are other people learning the language with them.

One major disadvantage in taking up language classes is the time one has to set aside to attend these classes.  A busy office executive certainly cannot afford to sacrifice valuable office hours to attend to these classes.  Fortunately, there are alternative measures on language classes that afford convenience and the pace of the learning based on the student’s terms.

First of these is the internet.  Before the advent of the internet, attending a class in a college or a university is the only way for someone to learn a new language without having to go to another country to learn it.  However, through the internet, language courses from universities can still be accessed without leaving the office or the house.  This service is available through online universities.  These institutions have made it possible for people who may have limited access to standard education facilities to learn the English language.

The internet still offers a variety of resources for learning a new language outside these tertiary institutions.  Online English courses, offering ESL and other English courses, have features similar to courses offered in tertiary learning institutions.  Some online courses are bought, whilst the bulk of these are accessed for free.  ESL courses, in particular, have an enormous free resource in the internet.  These websites may offer tests, puzzles, and games to reinforce and support the objectives of the course.  

Other websites offer free TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) resources, such as reviewers, common vocabularies found in the exam, as well as practice readings and writing guides.  TOEFL is a test which evaluates the potential success of an individual to use and understand standard American English.  It is usually required by some agencies and businesses from a non-English speaker seeking to be employed in the United States.  Approximately 20 million students have taken the test since its first administration in 1964.

A more interactive approach in learning English online is by joining chatrooms, forums, newsgroups, and putting up blogs.  These sites do not only offer support for people learning English, but provides a venue as well for practicing and using the language.

Of course, an obvious prerequisite for accessing English language resources online is knowledge in using the internet and computer software.  As most of these websites are in English, a basic knowledge of the language would be advantageous in navigating through the web pages.

Though the internet may seem to be the ideal vehicle to access convenient and open resources for learning English or any new language, it is an unfortunate fact that not all people may have the necessary means to access the internet.  And even if economical and technological infrastructure is available, some people may still not prefer to use the internet as they may feel intimidated by it.  This is where audio books may come in handy in facilitating the learning of a new language.

Learning English by using audio books broadens the vocabulary, creates familiarity, facilitates listening comprehension, and most importantly, it teaches the correct pronunciation.  Audio books come in CD’s, cassette tapes, and downloadable files from the internet.  They play just as any contemporary music CD or cassette would in any player.  It further affords convenience as one could listen to it while driving a car, sitting in an airplane, or while attending to other things.

Audio books have lessons for people in different levels.  Some may start with instructions for beginners, while others may have instructions for advanced learners.  Audio books are quite adaptable to the learner’s pace.  Unlike in a class, a learner does not need to wait for everybody to make progress before moving into the next lesson.

Practice afforded by these audio books may be limited to pronunciation and several vocabulary and sentences.  Interaction is limited to simply repeating after the speaker, and most certainly not as dynamic as one would be in a conversation with a real person.

Last and certainly not the least of these resources for learning English is the humble language book.  Its contents are virtually identical with the content of language audio books.  It broadens the vocabulary, increases reading comprehension, and provides instructions for specific levels.  However, it usually does not provide correct instruction for pronunciation.  It is not interactive and motivation from the learner is entirely intrinsic.

On the other hand, Books and other printed materials are useful in creating familiarity with the target language’s vocabulary and grammar.  Learners are highly recommended to read books and materials that interest them.  As many books, magazines, and newspapers are written in English, an English learner has a wide variety of selection to choose from.

As the English has obtained the position of the universal language, more and more people are pushed to learn it and master it.  Fortunately, nobody needs to be left behind.  With the abundance   of readily available resources for learning the English language, it won’t be long until everybody can speak with the same tongue.  Thus, hopefully, this will facilitate better understanding and communication amongst all the people of the world.  After all, that is the purpose of learning the language.