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How can we use English in the modern world?
   English is a versatile language that has become necessary for many people around the world. It is a language that has developed worldwide in science, literacy, business, politics, newspapers, TV, movies, theater and of course the Internet. English is a language that will not only help you conduct your international business affairs but also to understand the world we live in, enjoy stories through different kinds of media, surf the net, engage in international debates and help you develop your chosen career.
For Travel
   When people travel to another country for business or as a tourist, the language there will probably be different. The people who provide both commercial and essential services in popular tourist destinations will almost certainly know the basic English that they need to do their work.  The universal use of English can help people communicate in any situation.  Just a few words of English can go a long way when there are no other ways to communicate.
National harmony
   In countries like India or Nigeria, which cover large areas with many different peoples, religions and cultures, language can become political and cause conflict. A ‘neutral’ language like English can help unite the country and its resources and help everything run more smoothly.
International Politics & Business
   Most official correspondence between political offices in different countries is in English. English is the official language of most international organizations, such as; The UN, The IMF, The World Bank, NATO, ASEAN, and countless other NGOs. The same is true for international business. Whether it is being carried out by huge powerful corporations or small social media enterprises online, English is a very useful tool.
Education and Studies
   English has helped spread knowledge and information and allowed different countries and communities (especially the scientific community) to share their research and  knowledge. Education has increased the role of English in the world. Students from different countries can study abroad but still use the same language and share the things they have learned. However, in the age of the Internet, educators and students don't even have to be in the same country anymore!
The Internet
   Despite the growing number of websites, blogs and general online traffic in different languages English still remains the most widely used language on the Internet. For anybody who wants a career in IT, or for those who want to use the Internet for business knowing some English is a big advantage. 
Money, Power and Influence
   People who speak English as their 1st language make up less than 10% of the worlds population, but people who speak English as their 1st language have more than 30% of the world’s wealth. Anybody who aspires to be successful in their professional career should be aware of how important the English Language might be for them.
Other Languages
   It is clear that knowing at least some English is becoming increasingly important for an increasing number of people around the world. But this doesn’t mean that English is replacing other languages. In fact other languages are becoming even stronger and more important as they help regions maintain their own cultures and identities. In addition to this, studies have shown that students who know more than one language are more likely to be successful than those don't.


Confusing English!

   Do you sometimes feel that English just doesn't make any sense? Well don't worry too much, native speakers have been making jokes about it for a long time already!
Homonyms are words that are spelled the same and pronounced the same, but have different meanings.
  • A bat can turn into a vampire or it's the thing you use to hit a ball.
  • Change can mean “to alter” or it can be money you get back after buying something at the shop.
  • Hail can be chunks of ice falling from the sky or it’s a way to stop a taxi.
  • Bark is the sound an excited dog makes or it’s the 'skin' of a tree.
Homophones are words that have the same sound as another word but are spelled differently and have different meanings.
  • two/to/too - I’ll give two of these to you, too.
  • they’re/there/their - They’re in there studying for their test.
  • see/sea - We could all see the boat sinking into the sea.
  • crews/cruise - The crews on the cruise ships worked hard to make everybody happy.
Homographs are words that have the same spelling but a different sound and a different meaning.
  • Close is what you are when you’re nearby, but close is what you do when you shut the door.
  • A minute is 60 seconds, but something minute is very small.
  • Tear means to rip up, but a tear is what falls from your eye when you’re sad.


 Have you been singing the wrong lyrics to these songs?


Answers

Varieties of English

   It's probably true to say that most students still learn a particular kind of British or American English in the classroom. But, if you have ever been to either of these countries, then you will know that not many of the people there actually speak in the same way, and that there are many regional variations.
   A similar thing happens globally. In Singapore, for example, the government promotes, and schools teach a certain kind of British English. But in everyday life, Singaporeans prefer using the dialect known as Singlish.
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British English

Varieties of standard spoken English
Indian: He’s a real enthu guy.
British: That guy is really enthusiastic.

South African: Jislaaik, china, I was in a bit of a dwaal.
British: Gosh, my friend, I was in a bit of a daze.

Australian: Bring your bathers, chuck some stubbies in the esky and we’ll have a barbie this arvo.
British: Bring your swimming costume, put some beers in the cool box and we’ll have a barbecue this afternoon.

Singaporean/Singlish: Dis guy Singlish damn powerful one leh.
British: This person’s Singlish is very good.

Nigerian Pidgin: I no know wetin u dey yarn.
British: I don’t know what you are talking about.

Islander Creole: Da wan gud ting se di pikniny dem laan fi riid an rait.
British: It is a good thing that the children learn to read and write.

Cockney rhyming slang: We're always avin a barney but ar luv the trouble really.
British: We are always arguing but I love my wife, really.

Text speak: "D gr8st booty of r heritage S d en lgn, n itz r gr8st gft 2 d wrld"
British: "The greatest treasure of our heritage is the English language, and it is our greatest gift to the world
English Use Statistics
   English is the most widely spoken and written language, including around 400 million native speakers. English is the most widely learned second language in the world. Because a working knowledge of English is required in many fields and occupations, education ministries around the world mandate the teaching of English to at least a basic level.
  • English is the most geographically widespread language in the world and is more widely spoken and written than any other language.
  • Over 400 million people use English as a mother tongue. This number is not increasing.
  • It has been estimated that maybe two billion people can speak at least some English. This number is increasing.
  • Of all the world's languages (over 2,700) English is arguably the richest in vocabulary; the Oxford English Dictionary lists about 500,000 words, and there are a half-million technical and scientific terms still uncatalogued.
  • Three-quarters of the world's mail and faxes are in English.
  • More than half of the world's technical and scientific periodicals and publications are in English.
  • English is the medium for 80% of the information stored in the world's computers.
  • English is the language of navigation, aviation and of Christianity.

English on the Internet

   We have learned that English is evolving constantly due to outside influences and nowhere is this more obvious than online. The net is dominated by young people who are naturally open to change and with most English users of the net being non-native speakers some of the changes have been dramatic.
 Internet English
   The ways in which English is used online can change as quickly as the latest fashions, however, below is a brief introduction into some of the more popular expressions.

Can you translate these online conversations?
          Acronym
·         AFAIK As far as I know
·         ASAP As soon as possible
·         ASL? Age, sex, location?
·         AYFS Are you f**king serious?
·         BBL Be back later
·         BBS Be back soon
·         BRB Be right back or Bath-room break
·         BTW By the way
·         COL Crying out loud
·         CUL See you later
·         EOM End of message
·         FAQ Frequently asked questions
·         FFS For f*ck sake!
·         FWIW For what it's worth
·         FYI For your information
·         GFY Good for you
·         GG Good game
·         HAND Have a nice day
·         HTH Hope this helps
·         IC I see
·         IDK I don't know
·         IMO In my opinion
·         IMHO In my honest opinion / In my humble opinion
·         IRL In real life
·         ITT In this thread
·         LMAO Laughing my ass off
·         LOL Laugh out loud
·         MYOB Mind your own business
·         NVM Never mind
·         OMG Oh my God!
·         OP Original Poster
·         OT Off topic
·         RL Real life
·         ROFL Rolling on the floor laughing
·         WB Welcome back
·         WTF What the f*ck?
·         YW You're welcome
          Slang
·         Dunno    Don't know
·         @    At
·         B4    Before
·         C    See
·         Cuz   Because
·         Gonna    Going to
·         L8r    Later
·         M8    Mate
·         Nvm    Never Mind
·         Pic    Picture
·         BTW    by the way
·         Plz    Please
·         sup    What's up?
·         soz, srry    Sorry
·         Thnx    Thanks
·         U    You
·         W8    Wait
·         Wanna    Want to
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Worksheets
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Future of English