Text

1. Significance of studying English
The present age is marked as an age of globalization. Anything produced or invented
in any part of the world gets global character or recognition very rapidly. To keep pace with
the process of globalization, we need to learn English. Conversely, the globalizing process
requires a single language for international communication. For many different reasons
English has achieved the prestige of being a global language. As a result, it has crossed the
national borders of English-speaking countries and reached the people who speak other
languages. English is no longer an exclusive possession of the British or American people,
but a language that belongs to the world’s people.
Today about 350 million people speak English as a first language and another 430
million use it as a second language. It is the official or semi-official language of more than 60
countries and of many international organizations.
English is used widely by international business community. To communicate across
national borders and maintain correspondence with overseas business partners, English is
essential.
English is important for higher education and specialized training. Most of the books
on any subject are written in English or quickly translated into English. English is the
medium of instruction in education in most universities and higher education institutes of the
world.
English is essential for getting a better paying job or a promotion. Multinational
business organizations and many international corporations ask for people who have a good
working knowledge of English. Even job advertisements in local market also require people
with fluent English. People who want to work abroad also need to know English.
English is important for maintaining international relations and communications. It is
the language of diplomacy, international meetings and conferences.
In today’s world of information superhighway, English is essential for getting easy
access to any information. Almost any information is available in English. English is the
language of information technology and the Internet.
English is important for access to world media and entertainment. Satellite channels
around the world telecast news and views in English. Games and sports are telecast live and
their commentaries are also broadcasted in English. Cinemas, cartoons and other media
productions are available in English.
Knowing English gives an easy access to the vast resources of English literature.
World’s famous books, novels, histories, stories, poems are available in English. Besides,
English helps to know about cultures of other people, discoveries, inventions and lifestyles of
other nations.
The importance of English cannot be denied. Knowing English is like having an
international visa. Anywhere in the world English is useful and helpful. So, learning English
is very important.