Spoken English
The ways in which the English language is transmitted through a conventional system of sounds. Compare to written English. Spoken English, says linguist David Crystal, is "the more natural and widespread mode of transmission, though ironically the one which most people find much less familiar--presumably because it is so much more difficult to 'see' what is happening in speech than in writing" (The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language, 2nd ed., 2003). In recent years, linguists have found it easier to "'see' what is happening in speech" through the availability of corpus resources--computerized databases containing "real life" examples of both spoken and written English. The Longman Grammar of Spoken and Written English (1999) is a contemporary reference grammar of English based on a large-scale corpus.
Why Study Spoken English?
I grew up hearing over and over how important learning is. I used to have good marks at school, but even less free time. As time wore on my achievement at school became even more important because to be admitted to a university is only possible through good scholastic records. I think that as teenagers we learn more because of the expectations of our parents or other people, and it takes time to understand that being well educated and qualified is important for us. How I remember at the beginning of the university studies, almost all of us thought that after six, ten or twelve semesters we can say Goodbye to learning. It’s true that graduating or rather achieving a Doctorate means that we can forget the exams, the essays, but not the learning at all.
Why Spoken English Courses for School Students?
Learning as activity, as a way of knowing and understanding, is permanent. It should be a kind of daily routine which is for life. At school I used to have different subjects like foreign languages, such as German and Italian. I remember that we always had the most fun at the language lessons. The atmosphere of a language class is different from anything else. Teaching and reading languages could be very creative, relaxed and humorous. Especially in the last decade – thanks to Technology – there are even more ways and methods of language teaching, for example through online lessons. In addition – thanks to Politics – it becomes even easier and common to look for a language school abroad. Nowadays language schools are quite popular, they usually offer a wide selection of foreign languages with English in the focus. Why is it like this? Why is playing English such an important role? As I see it English is the “new Latin”, a kind of “mediator language” as Latin was in the past. You only have to learn one language and you will be able to communicate with people from all over the world. English is the language of our international communication in all areas, such as politics, science, media or art and it is often the language of the entertainment as well as socialising. Having a good command of English helps us to have more opportunities in life, first of all our career. We are likely to have more chance of finding a good job or to get our business of the ground. The latest world news and discoveries, the most important scholarly discussions and the various fields of art – like books, movies, music – are firstly or just available in English. The language of technology (the computers, the iPhones) is also written in English. English became part of our daily life, no matter in which country we live. Nowadays countries are getting more and more multicultural. Sometimes understanding and acceptance – as well as peace – between people, only depends on communication, which is almost impossible without a common language. I’m from a quite small, Central European country. For us it is essential to speak foreign languages. We cannot translate everything because it will be too expensive and first of all because it takes time
English communication increases income
All good jobs need good English communication skills. Business requires you to be able to talk to clients in English. In a global market place, you can reach more customers if you can speak their language. You can source better and cheaper raw material if you can communicate with a supplier from a far off place who doesn’t know your language.
English skills get more respect
It is weird but true. We in India give more respect to those who speak in English. I don’t know the reason and I don’t like this but that’s not important. What’s important is: a) speak good English to earn more respect, and, b) if you feel strongly about it, treat those with and without good English speaking skills with equal respect. Judge people on their inner worth, not the language they speak. But, till the time everyone begins doing it, learn English so that you are not judged unfairly.
English gets you more knowledge
Whatever be the historical reasons but the truth is that the latest research in science, technology, humanities and almost everything today happens in English. You can either learn English to share in that knowledge or refuse to do that and try to reinvent the wheel in your own language. Former is better and it also gives you a chance to make that knowledge available in your own language.
English makes travel easier
English is the most widely spoken language all over the world. If you know the language, you have an open window to most of the countries in the world. That’s a big advantage unless your goal in life is to remain within 40 kilometers of where you were born throughout your life.
Biggest movies and books are in English
Hollywood is the biggest movie industry. Almost all prominent books in the world are either written or translated into English. English language music is huge. Why would you want to miss out on such a huge body of fun and mind expanding stuff?
Knowledge of English helps make friends
People not from your state, people not from your country, people not from your continent. There are so many wonderful people in the world. Wouldn’t it be cool if you can communicate with them and see which ones can be good friends, which ones are fine as just acquaintances and which ones you should run away from? And, just between you and me, it can help you get dates as well as girls (or boys) may just like someone who is from a different place but can communicate with them.
English communication gives power & influence
Knowledge is in English, knowledge is power and you need power to fight for yourself. Most of the modern day knowledge and communication tools work in English: • Courts, law books, websites – most of them work in English. • Social media works in English. • Mainstream media has a majorly influential English segment. If you don’t know the language, you are denying yourself more than half the weapons.
English helps the world know our culture
The world today is not about forcing people, it’s about convincing them. It’s called soft power. With our 5,000 year old culture, why should we be defensive and behave like frogs in a well? Why not study the culture and present it in front of the world in the best possible way? Didn’t Vivekanand do that? Didn’t he do it in English? Isn’t he one of the brightest torch bearers of our glorious culture?
English helps us innovate better
Our forefathers were great because they dreamt of new ideas, invented new things and broke new ground. They were rightly respected throughout the world. We can either try to live off their name or create new ideas and new stuff ourselves – thus bringing glory to us and them. To break new ground, you need to know where all people have reached and use that knowledge. You can’t do that by shutting yourself off.
English skills are our national advantage
One of the very few areas where India beats China is the number of English speaking people. Major advantage and we don’t want to surrender it to our friends from Shaolin.