The Future of English

THE FUTURE OF ENGLISH

BY DAVID GRADDOLBritish Council Malaysia

PDP 4 ELT

B2 – Selangor 14

WHO SPEAKS ENGLISH?

WHAT PREDICTIONS DO YOU THINK DAVID GRADDOL MADE ABOUT THEM?

Native English speakers... People who speak English and no other language… People who don’t speak English…

Syazana: my first assumption is that native English speakers will never experience difficulties in communication while traveling all the world or to stay in the major cities around here as English nowadays has become a global language. I think it will be their advantage. But based on David's prediction, native English speakers will have a lot disadvantages in the economy and rise of capital competition in the world at large.

Mazniza: No doubts English is increasing rapidly around the globe. But as for me, it doesn't mean that if a person doesn't know the English Language he/she cannot survive.

Khamisah: my first assumption is that native speakers of English are or will soon be outnumbered by those who speak English as a second or foreign language. I think that there will be possible a long-term impact on the English language of developments in communication technology, growing economic globalization and major demographic shifts at the end of the twentieth century and beyond. It uses existing linguistic research as a basis for examining new trends in globalization, popular culture and economic development and these will  affect the future use of English, I guess.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

English teachers...

Elizebeth: It is interesting to know that besides native English language speakers there are non-natives who are teachers of the language all over the world. The training and performance of these non-native teachers of the language are coming into scrutiny of late in some countries. It is indeed a good move for the British Council to keep the standards of the language from declining in various parts of the world. If this yardstick is not used the possibilities of a variety in English Language may develop: pronunciation, spelling and structure. I strongly believe besides the pedagogy, methodology and paper qualifications, English Language teachers should have a good command of the language before walking into a classroom to teach.

Khamisah: Concerning  English, as one of the core subject taught in Malaysian schools, I think measures will be taken by the government to upgrade the education system as the whole as to encourage the mastery of English among students and teachers. Imposing the compulsory passing of English in the exam call SPM or Malaysia Education Certificate and a pre-requisite achievement of at least Band 3 in MUET (Malaysian University English Test) has driven students’ and teachers' particular attention towards acquiring competence of English.

Gunadevi: In this country, the future of English lies in the hands of teachers. The teachers who are teaching the subject must use English in class. This is very important because it allows students to learn more. This can be proven by teachers from England because they use the language to the maximum. Hence, the future of English truly lies in the hands of English teachers.

WHAT PREDICTIONS DO YOU THINK DAVID GRADDOL MADE ABOUT THEM?

English in schools...

Juzaila: I think that he predicts that English will be increasingly important especially in schools and higher institutions. Some governments may change their policy so that English will become a very important and a passing subject to enter University and to apply for jobs.

Syazana:  So English will become part of our basic education to students. In Malaysia, the future of English will be improved then as if the government impose English as the compulsory subject to be passed in the exam, perhaps. If we look at the bright side, it will benefit the students to speak a second or a third language.

Mazniza: English language is very important in schools. Students should learn a second language for their general knowledge. It is vital for their holistic development. Mandarin, Chinese and Spanish should also be taught in school. As we know, one can learn best at an early age, so do not miss the chance.

WHAT PREDICTIONS DO YOU THINK DAVID GRADDOL MADE ABOUT THEM?

FUTUROLOGY

THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY

Technology & English...

Fadziana: Recently, the spread of English has been a remarkable phenomenon. This will give rise to new vocabularies, grammatical forms and ways of speaking and writing. Technology, especially the internet, also plays a vital role and has a great impact in the future of English.

WHAT PREDICTIONS DO YOU THINK DAVID GRADDOL MADE ABOUT THEM?

YOUTH CULTURE

English in India, China, and Malaysia...

Fadziana: I also believe that the number of English speakers will also increase in our country in the future.

WHAT PREDICTIONS DO YOU THINK DAVID GRADDOL MADE ABOUT THEM?

PREDICTIONS

Were you able to guess some of David Graddol’s predictions?

REFERENCE

Graddol, David. (1997). The future of English. The British Council. Available at http://www.britishcouncil.org/learning-elt-future.pdf