What's happening?

In the year 1600, around 4 million people spoke English. Today 400 million speak it as a first language and 1.6 billion as a second.

Around the world, English is seen as the key to doing well. In almost every country, people who speak it are better paid than people who do not. In IraqA country in the Middle East with a population of 43.5m. , someone who speaks English might earnBeing paid money for work you have done. 200% more than someone who does not speak English.

In China, there are English lessons in stadiums for thousands of people.

There is no doubt: it can be useful to have one language understood by most of the world. In the past, people have tried to create new languages that everyone can learn. Today, English plays this part.

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But others worry that as English spreads, people will stop speaking other languages and they will die out. Already, 26 languages die out each year. ExpertsSomeone who knows a lot about a particular subject. think 90% of the 6,000 languages in the world could soon die out.

And it is important to point out, many say, that learning English was not always a choice. When Britain took control over other countries during the days of the British Empire, many had no choice but to learn English.

Yes! It is very useful to have one language that people can use to talk to each other and share ideas. It will help the world to stay stable and peaceful.

No! The rise of English means other languages are dying out, and this is very sad. Some have ways of saying things that will be lost forever.