English language in the news:
There are many examples of the importance of English as a unifying language… not just in United States media but in media around the world. See below for some of the most recent mentions of the unifying role of the English language. If you come across a national or international story you think is of note, please emailinfo@usefoundation.org so we can share it here!
February 24, 2015
Morocco World News: “Benkirane calls for adopting English as first foreign language in Morocco”
This story from Morocco World News explains why the Moroccan Head of Government calls for adopting English as the first foreign language. He says, “If we have to choose, we will choose English because it is the language of today’s science, technology and commerce.”
January 9, 2015
Fiji Sun: “Local Education Inspires Korean”
This story from the Fiji Sun states, “Since English is a universal language, majority find learning English is an indispensable component when applying for jobs and universities.”
January 6, 2015
News 24: “But why English?”
This story from News 24 in South Africa examines the growing use of English on a global scale, stating, “By placing a greater importance on achieving higher standards of English for business communications, forward thinking Brazilian companies are increasing their advantages in a very competitive international market.”
January 3, 2015
The Asahi Shimbun: “More private junior high schools add English testing to entrance exams”
This story from The Asahi Shimbun explains why a number of junior high schools in Tokyo are requiring students to learn English. One official says, “It is a move to remain ahead of the times when it becomes more necessary to nurture people who can work globally.”
December 28, 2014
The Age: “More support needed for older immigrants”
This story from Australia’s The Age claims, “Immigrants who come to Australia with poor English can earn up to a third less in wages than immigrants who are fluent in the language.”
December 26, 2014
The Dinuba Sentinel: “English is path to opportunity in Guatemala”
This story from The Dinuba Sentinel highlights why learning English is important in Guatemala claiming, “The Guatemalan government requires college students to know English before they graduate.”
September 29, 2014
Swiss Info: “Balancing national and global language needs”
This story from Swiss Info asserts that a majority of Switzerland residents believe English is the “most useful” language. It also states, “English is the lingua franca and almost a must for companies active internationally.”
September 22, 2014
The Star Online: “Focus on English at Spain’s Schools”
This story from The Star Online calls English the key to improving the future job prospects of schoolchildren.
September 20, 2014
The Times of India: “Why maids can’t do without English”
This story from The Times of India asserts that learning English is becoming essential to people of all backgrounds, “Spoken English has caught on with housemaids who are looking for better employment opportunities as well as to speak to their children, who are increasingly being enrolled in English medium schools.”
September 19, 2014
Hope in Bolivia: “Building a better future by learning English”
This story from Hope in Bolivia explains how learning English helps the population and continues to expand, “Hope worldwide Bolivia will also begin to offer ESL classes within the community next month and is exploring other opportunities to teach English to the city’s most vulnerable population.”
September 19, 2014
The Asahi Shimbun: “Japanese universities increase classes taught in English”
This story from The Asahi Shimbun explains the increased interest in English education classes in Japan, stating that in 2011, 222 institutions (30% of all four-year universities in Japan) held classes taught in English– up from 190 universities in 2008.
September 15, 2014
The Borneo Post: “English proficiency the way forward”
This story from The Borneo Post claims English to be the global language. “It is used as a common language for communications in diplomacy, in business negotiations, as well as in the pursuit of knowledge in various fields of sciences, arts and humanities. More than 50 percent of Internet content is in the English language.”
September 14, 2014
The Times of India: “English to continue as link language in Puducherry: Court”
This story from The Times of India calls English “the link language for transaction of official business and in the interest of public service.”
September 14, 2014
The Hindu: “In their world, everything hinges on speaking English”
This story from The Hindu explains the role of English in upward mobility, stating, “private companies see English as a necessary qualification for even blue-collar jobs.”
September 11, 2014
The Malay Mail Online: “I owe my success to English proficiency, says billionaire Vincent Tan”
In this story from The Malay Mail Online, the businessman who brought the McDonald’s franchise to Malaysia says, “I can honestly say this would not have been possible if not for my proficiency in English.”
September 10, 2014
The Times of Malta: “Education Ministry in campaign to raise standards of English language use”
This story from the Times of Malta expresses the importance of English proficiency in Malta, stating “Emphasis would also be put on institutional capacity building to allow Malta to maintain the special status of English and to ensure high levels of proficiency which provide it with a cutting edge in its international dealings.”
September 3, 2014
The Establishment Post: “Tongue-Tied in Singapore– Is It Time for a Multilingual Policy?”
This story from The Establishment Post explains how the government sees the functionality of English growing, “English language is taken as a compulsory subject under the nation’s school system and is the main medium of instruction in virtually all state schools… The government saw the growing usage of English in commerce, science and technology.”
July 11, 2014
Colombia Reports: “Education Minister: 60% of Colombian teachers don’t speak English”
This story from Colombia Reports states that learning English “is a necessity that we have in Colombia to make ourselves more competitive in this global world.”
July 3, 2014
Voice of America: “Hindi or English? Contentious Language Issue Resurfaces in India”
This story from Voice of America references how English serves as the language of commerce in India, uniting a country with 22 official languages. A political analyst says “in a globalizing world, India’s familiarity with English is a huge benefit.”
May 21, 2014
The Guardian: “European parliament has 24 official languages, but MEPs prefer English”
This story from The Guardian calls English “the unofficial language of European politics.”
March 30, 2014
The Star Online: “Annyeong! Let’s speak English”
This story from The Star Online in Malaysia states that the new focus for South Koreans is to learn English, “as they see its indisputable dominance globally.”
March 27, 2014
Daily Times: “English flourishing in Pakistan at the expense of Urdu?”
This story from the Daily Times in Pakistan expresses the desire for English instruction to spread in Pakistan, recognizing it as a global phenomenon.
February 15, 2014
The Economist: “The English Empire”
This story from The Economist explains why an increasing number of businesses worldwide are adopting English as their primary means of communication.
January 30, 2014
India Today: “Move up the success ladder: Learn English”
This story from India Today claims that “English has become the need of the hour and one needs to master this language.”
January 24, 2014
Fox News Latino: “Study says English boosts young Hispanics’ self-esteem”
This story from Fox News Latino cites a study finding that “Hispanic youth feel less alienated and more satisfied living in the U.S. as their English competence and connection with non-Hispanics grow.”
January 16, 2014
Finnbay: “Nokia’s Chairman: English Should Be The Official Language in Finland”
This story from Finnbay features the Chairman of Nokia stating that English as the official language of Finland “is highly needed to attract international excellence to Finland’s brand name.”
January 16, 2014
The Independent: “English to replace French as main banking language”
This story from Ireland’s The Independent states that, “the English language has come increasingly to the fore in part because it is widely spoken among the eastern European so-called ‘accession states’ that joined the union in the last decade.”
January 1, 2014
The Jakarta Post: “For Koreans, English used as mark of status”
This story from The Jakarta Post calls English a “sociocultural phenomenon.”
November 15, 2013
Harvard Business Review: “Countries with Better English Have Better Economies”
This story from the Harvard Business Review says that even in countries where English is not the official language, “good English is a critical tool.”
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