ABOUT the ENGLISH LANGUAGE

English is a West Germanic language that originated in England and is the first language for most people in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and the Anglophone Caribbean. It is used extensively as a second language and as an official language throughout the world, especially in many international organizations.

Modern English, often described as the first global lingua franca or world language, is the dominant international language in communications, science, business, aviation, entertainment, radio and diplomacy. While English is not an official language in most countries, it is currently the language most often taught as a second language around the world. It is, by international treaty, the official language for aerial and maritime communications. English is also an official language of the United Nations and many other international organizations, including the International Olympic Committee.

A working knowledge of English has become a requirement in a number of fields, occupations and professions such as medicine and, consequently, over a billion people speak English to at least a basic level (see English language learning and teaching).

Books, magazines, and newspapers written in English are available in many countries around the world. English is also the most commonly used language in the sciences. In 1997, the Science Citation Index reported that 95% of its articles were written in English, even though only half of them came from authors in English-speaking countries.

The initial reason for the enormous spread of the English language beyond the bounds of the British Isles, where it was originally a native tongue, was the British Empire; and by the late nineteenth century its reach was truly global. It is the dominant language in the United States, whose growing economic and cultural influence and status as a global superpower since World War II have significantly accelerated adoption of English as "the international language of communication".

For further information

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Alternatively, you can check out the FAQs section at the University of Cambridge site: http://www.cambridgeesol.org/teaching/celta.htm