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About English the international language

English, the global language

Increasing globalization and the phenomenal growth of the Internet are making English the main language for international communication.

" World-wide, there are over 1,400 million people living in countries where English has official status. One out of five of the world's population speak English to some level of competence. Demand from the other four fifths is increasing. ... By the year 2000 it is estimated that over one billion people will be learning English. English is the main language of books, newspapers, airports and air-traffic control, international business and academic conferences, science technology, diplomacy, sport, international competitions, pop music and advertising." (British Council's English 2000 project press release)

" English is already the world’s universal language." (Dr Ghil' ad Zuckermann, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Review of International Affairs Feb. 2003)

English the international language was born while I was working as an English teacher in Japan. I found that most students had already spent years studying English the traditional way and were totally switched off by using the same old text books lesson after lesson.

I therefore decided to start creating my own lessons to enable learners to encourage and enable learners to use English in a more natural way.

Around the same time I became fascinated by the potential of the World Wide Web and decided to make some of my materials available for the benefit of learners of English across the globe. The result is English the international language.

English the international language now contains a collection of various lessons and resources using HTML, Java applets, JavaScript and Flash technologies to make your learning a more active experience. I strongly believe that language is a skill that can only be improved through use, and this is reflected in opportunities this site provides for you to communicate with other learners as well as me.

I hope you enjoy using English the international language and that you will find it useful.