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English sweeps the globe. According to the British Council, it is the language of 1.75 billion people, of whom only 400 million are native speakers. English is the language of air traffic control worldwide, and the language of business when a common language is needed among speakers of various languages. The internet is predominated by English-speaking sites. With the U.S. dollar as the global currency reserve, English is the common language of investment. It is seen as the language of opportunity. Why is this so? The story of globalization of English is a story of history, colonialism, economics, technology, and educational opportunities. For non-English speaking students, learning English as a second language opens the door to a better life. It has not always been that way. Greek was the common language for much of the western world until Latin took its place with the rise of the Roman empire. Latin continued to be used as a common second language through most of Europe during the middle ages. French became the language of diplomacy from the 14th century to the armistice negotiations following the first world war. With the rise of England´s colonialism, English became the dominant language in far-flung outposts: North America, Australia, the Caribbean, parts of Africa, and India. As a result of colonial expansion, English not only had millions of native speakers; they were also spread out across the globe. After the world wars, England declined in prominence just as the influence of the United States grew. The Marshall Plan in Europe and the Pacific occupation spread the influence of the U.S., and English along with it. Economics spread English globally as well. The first half of the twentieth century brought industrialization to new heights in the United States. Farm exports were another way business meant English. Then, beginning in the 1970s, the tech revolution of Silicon Valley and beyond opened another chapter for English’s worldwide presence. Both England and the U.S. educated generations of young professionals, entrepreneurs, public officials and scientists in their English speaking graduate schools. What does all this mean for non-English speakers? Non-English speakers are exposed to English-speaking media, businesses, tourists, college opportunities, publications, and travel options on a daily basis. Young business professionals want to, or have to, learn English to serve a global market. Tourism workers do much better when they are able to converse in the English language in hotels, restaurants, taxis, and airports. Not only do these workers encounter native English-speaking tourists, but they also meet many tourists for whom English is a common second language. In the 21st century, the Chinese are emulating American patterns: offering trade and investment in Latin America and Africa, providing scholarships for learning in Chinese schools and universities and pioneering new technologies and industries. Even so, Chinese and Asian students continue to study English, along with their counterparts in Mexico, Europe, South America, and Africa. With this perspective in mind, ESL teachers are doing more than teaching a language, they are opening the doors to the world and to new opportunities for students worldwide.
