How Many French People Speak English

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Several surveys, such as EF (Education First), have shown that France has the worst English level in the European Union. We shall explain, firstly, why French students have problems in learning English and what these problems are. Then, secondly, we shall share solutions to these problems. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Mohamed S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Indeed, the difficulties that French students face are not recent but have deeper origins which are historical. As you may know, there has been a rivalry between the French and the English dating back to the Hundred Years War (1337-1453,) when the two countries...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Travel had benefits for all of us. Particularly for our children. Our twin baby boys are mixed-race and mixed-cultured and equal importance will be placed on both sides of their heritage while maintaining a truly international worldview. We plan to raise them as true world citizens. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Mingke R. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. We plan to focus on a few areas to strengthen their cultural connections: language, exposure to different cultures, exposure to people from those cultures, and cultural holidays. We will achieve this by continuing to travel slowly. We plan to live in different cities and...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Destinations It’s no secret that one of the best ways to immerse oneself into a new culture is by learning the local language. Teaching English abroad is the perfect way to learn a new language, which will also come in handy when looking for a job back home if you decide to return. French is widely spoken in parts all across the world and is ranked the sixth most spoken language worldwide after Mandarin Chinese, English, Hindi, Spanish and Arabic. Currently, there are more than 220 million French speakers globally and French is an official or de facto language in 29 countries on four continents. If you are interested in learning French, check out the following 5 best places to learn French when teaching English abroad. Also read:...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences English is learned and spoken by a large number of people worldwide. In Shakespeare's time, the number of English speakers in the world is thought to have been between five and seven million. According to linguist David Crystal, "Between the end of the reign of Elizabeth I (1603) and the beginning of the reign of Elizabeth II (1952), this figure increased almost fiftyfold, to around 250 million" (The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language, 2003). It's a common language used in international business, which makes it a popular second language for many. English as a global language has made it impossible for cultural diversity to develop. English is easy to learn, has a high usage rate, is universal in...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences I have had the opportunity to study several foreign languages, some in a formal setting, some self-taught. Through my personal experiences learning other languages, I have developed some insights into language learning. I would like to describe some of my experienc| ITTT | TEFL Bloges, and some of my thoughts on what I have learned from them, and from this course. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Kim T. My first experience in language learning began at age fourteen with French; by the time I graduated high school I had studied French, German and Spanish as part of my curriculum. The method in use then was ALM, so as a result, I learned language patterns very quickly. However, the only...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences French are bad at speaking English, it’s a fact, proven by many studies but also by the shameful spectacle of our politician trying to say things in Shakespeare’s language. The Elite not having a decent level it is hard to blame the population for not trying very hard. International studies are all putting French students at the last position in Europe for mastering English skills. Even more alarming in 2008 the TOEFL results were putting France at the 69th rank on 109 countries. In 9th Grade, only 14% of the students have an “independent level” according to a 2011 study of the European Commission (we also note that only 9% of English 9 graders are “independent” in French). This post was written by...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences People around the world are choosing to learn the English language for several reasons. Across the globe, English has become one of the languages people are taught in order to succeed in their career endeavors or simply a basic skill to have. It has grown so much in popularity and necessity that it has become a requirement for many children in schools across the globe. As a native English speaker, I find this incredibly useful for when I’m traveling or living abroad. When in doubt, I can try using my native tongue and more often than not someone is able to respond in a language in which I am comfortable communicating. However, many challenges accompany this phenomenon. For one, native English speakers are...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas In an increasingly globalized world, English has become the lingua franca for the world. What is very interesting with English is that it is a kind of Frankenstein of languages and thus a great language to now be spread worldwide. English, which is based on a dialect of northern German, has massive infusions from the French after the Norman invasion of 1066, Norwegian and Scandinavian languages from the Vikings settlements in medieval England, as well as many other languages that have influenced it over the years. It is a language that carries with it many different languages and much history. This post was written by our TEFL certification...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences A global language is a language spoken internationally, the most popular one being English. It is learned by many people as a second language. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Damian B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. A big part of the lexical units in the English language was taken from German, Latin, French, and other European countries. People think that languages have a strong relation between dominance and cultural power. Also read: What to Watch Out for Before Signing Your TEFL Contract in China To have a common language is important because it's one of the main ways to communicate and interact with other people...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences English, like any language, is first and foremost the mother tongue of a person. Languages often are influenced by or entirely derive from migratory groups of people. The original native tongue of France, for example, was Gallic. The Latinized French we know today was only born after centuries of Roman occupation and assimilation. More confusing still, the nation takes its name from the Franks, who were themselves a Germanic tribe which conquered the territory from Rome. Despite this, their native German tongue had an only minor influence on French, as Roman Gaul had a quite large population. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Cole T. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Being an American living in France has given me firsthand experience as to what it is like to struggle with learning a new language. I studied Spanish for six years, in Junior High and High school. Language acquisition was easier then. I can attest to the fact that younger learners learn more quickly. For me, the two major problems with learning French are the tenses and not being able to understand what people are saying. I get stuck in the present tense, often forgetting to change tenses in conversation. I also need to hone up on my listening skills. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Patricia J. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Nowadays, we are living in such a multicultural world that speaking English has become essential to be able to communicate with people from different countries, to travel and to expand working opportunities. English is present everywhere, particularly on the political scene, encouraging international exchanges. This language is the most spoken in the world after Mandarin with 1.5 billion people speaking English out of a total world population of 7.5 billion people. Despite this, English remains a foreign language for many people. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Léna T. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. I will consider my...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The history of the global language or what is thought to be the concept of the global language is not new and the originator of this concept is not those that spoke English. The concept of a global language can be defined by a language that is spoken by a large number of both native speakers and speakers of the language as a second language as well as its widespread geographic circulation. This concept of a "lingua franca" or a language that facilitates the communication of people of varying and diverse backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, and creeds has taken different forms throughout history and currently, the lingua franca used predominantly throughout the globe is English. The key factors allowing a language...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Learning a second language, whether its English, Mandarin, or any language at all, can help you in regards to your future career prospects and/or opportunities. Many people from non-English speaking countries move to English speaking countries in the hopes of finding better employment or to provide their children with the opportunity to learn English and thus increasing their chances to be successful. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Benny H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Since English is the main business language of the world, many businesses want their employees to be able to speak English to expand and reach a larger...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The topic “English As A Global Language” is an interesting one given that people in all the continents of the world are learning the English language to become apt in writing, speaking, reading, and listening even though these different countries have their different languages and mother tongue. At times it’s to the detriment of the languages or the dialects of these countries leading to the disappearance or extinction of some of these languages. This is the case with most African countries where children no longer speak the mother tongue or the dialect but the English language because it’s the language of instruction and socialization in schools. But the question is how or why have the English...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Whether you like English or despise it, the English language is here to stay. There is no stronger contender right now as a global language, other than English. But how did this happen, why is English now the dominant language in Education, Business and the Media. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Iain Hamilton-G. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Well in this essay I am not going to rewrite a history lesson about the global rise of the English language, many sources can provide a far more detailed explanation about it. However, what I intend to write here is from my own experiences and how I naturally became a crusader of...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences English has undergone many changes since its roots in early Europe. It started out as a Germanic language, and standard word order along with some vocabulary still show German roots in the modern English of today. It went on over the years to incorporate numerous words and suffixes from French during the time that England was invaded and occupied by the Normans in the 11th Century. Its most recent and well-known adoption was from Latin, whose language patterns and vocabulary dominate English. Even today, the language is constantly growing and adapting as it takes on new words from Spanish due to the large Latin American immigrant population in the United States and their great cultural influence over the last...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences English is my first language, however, I studied Spanish throughout high school growing up in the Midwest and eventually received a Master’s degree in Spanish Literature. I learned to speak Spanish very well after becoming a high school Spanish teacher for eight years and then a principal for elementary and secondary schools for 26 more years speaking Spanish to new immigrant students and parents the whole time. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Rex P. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. In reflecting on the title question I first asked myself how Spanish had influenced me over the years. The first obvious answer was that I...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas English as a global language is increasing public recognition of the global position of English. We hear it on television spoken by politicians from all over the world. Wherever we travel, we see English signs and advertisements. English is now the language most widely taught as a foreign language in over 100 countries, such as China, Russia, Germany, Spain, Egypt and Brazil and in most of these countries it is emerging as the chief foreign language to be encountered in schools, often displacing other languages in the process. The statistics suggest that about a quarter of the world’s population estimated about 1.5 billion people, is already fluent or competent in English, and this figure is steadily growing. No...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Teaching English pronunciation to students of other languages is always a big deal. English teachers from other countries may think that it is a topic to be skipped or only briefly introduced to students, but it is one of the most important subjects and it should be an integral part of an English course. As a matter of fact, the full understanding of a language and good communication actually depend, to a certain extent, on how correctly words are pronounced. Also, it is not only a matter of pronunciation but intonation. Every language has its own intonation and stress on words, so an English learner could find it difficult to get used to a new way of pronouncing words in another language. This is true for...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Destinations Southeast Asia is, without a doubt, one of the most popular regions for teaching English as a foreign language. Vietnam, in particular, offers great opportunities for TEFL qualified professionals in all of its major cities, as well as in many smaller towns across the nation. Vietnam is also a great destination for non-native English teachers and those without a degree. If you would like to teach English in this beautiful country, take a look at our pick of the top 5 places to teach English in Vietnam. Also read: How much can I earn teaching English in Vietnam? With a population of nearly 8.5 million, Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam and typically has the highest demand for foreign teachers in the...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Visa and Legal Destinations Europe is one of the most popular regions for teaching English as a foreign language for many teachers. However, it can often be difficult for non-EU citizens to secure a visa and work legally in Europe. If you are dreaming of living and working in France, don’t despair. An attractive option for teachers from outside of the EU zone is to apply for a student visa. A student visa allows you to work a certain number of hours per week. Even though the legal working hours are limited, many teachers also take on private tutoring to supplement their income. If you are interested in teaching in France, read on to find out how to legally teach English in France with a student visa. First, you...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Many people who speak English are aware of the fact that American English and British English are similar yet different. There have been many debates about which one is better or correct. Some ways of speaking might be different if one would be speaking British English compared to American English. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Camilla R. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. British English has used its way of spelling words adopted from the French spelling, such as ‘color’ and ‘humor’. While in American English, the spelling has been simplified to become ‘color’ and ‘humor’. There are many more examples of the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Over the years English no doubt has reached the status of a global language. It has become the language that is spoken by millions of people all over the world; as the mother tongue, as the language used for international communication and as the language learned in the millions of schools. If English is used as a global language, there are several advantages and disadvantages attached to this but overall the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, therefore, English has been considered as a global language. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Manahil S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. During the 19th and 20th century various...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas What awaits us in the future? What will society look like in the future? What will it look like in 10 years? What will it look like in 100 years? Can you imagine a world without English? This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Oksana F. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. English has become a global language. This is an obvious fact. Its influence has grown exponentially in the world. Because of new technology, business, travel, and the English language the world seems to have become smaller nowadays. Therefore, we can declare English as the language of the future world. The English language is spoken by over 600 million people from all...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences What awaits us in the future? What will society look like in the future? What will it look like in 10 years? What will it look like in 100 years? Can you imagine a world without English? This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Oksana F. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. This is an obvious fact. Its influence has grown exponentially in the world. Because of new technology, business, travel, and the English language the world seems to have become smaller nowadays. Therefore, we can declare English as the language of the future world. The English language is spoken by over 600 million people from all over the world. Every year, more...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences In this essay, we are going to talk about two different versions of English which are American and British English. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate ANDRII D. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The English were introduced to America through British colonization in the early 17th century. It also spread to many other parts of the world due to the power of the British empire. Over many years American and British spoken English started diverging from each other in different aspects. This led to new dialects in the form of American English. Also Read: Teaching Roles and Functions in ESL The Americans and British both speak...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences All education and training incline to feature discipline, whether it is training for a pilot, or conveyance of social behavior in kindergarten, or higher education in social sciences, or guidance in a leisurely activity such as white water rafting. Further yet the toughest disciplining of people in every civilization has been in the military. Civilization coincides with the advent of discipline, by which men have been able to distinguish civilized from primitive people. The most authority believes in disciplining the subject by submerging it to a set of rules. If the subject does not subordinate to the given doctrines, authority threatens with punishment. Fear of losing control over the subject is apparent all...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences In the following essay, I have chosen to explain my late-in-life interest in becoming certified as an EFL teacher, based on my background with foreign language experience, which began at an early age. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Manuel GK. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. I was what some would call an early bloomer. As a baby, my mother read to me at night until I fell asleep. By the age of 2, I could speak in simple but uninterrupted sentences with proper syntax. By a few months after my third birthday, I was able to read the same children's’ books that my mother used to read for me and speak more complex sentences...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences In today's world, teaching English has become a mainstream job, no longer limited to native speakers. Everywhere you go, you will find nationals from various countries teaching English with sometimes rather strong accents. What are their motivations and why would schools choose non-natives to teach English in the first place? This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Patrick B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. While traveling through Asia or South America, two of the areas where most TEFL teachers currently operate, one will often encounter ESL teachers. Why? Many of them travel a lot and have rather relaxed curriculums with just...  [Read more]