English no longer belongs only to its native speakers

English is the most important lingua franca in the world today. Thus, if you are in business and cannot communicate well in English your company will most likely lose important contracts. In fact, a survey shows that nearly half of 572 executives in multinational businesses have caused significant losses for their firms due to low competancy in English (EF EPI2014)

English no longer belongs only to its native speakers

English, the Language of Diplomacy

In the UN, in the EU, in NATO and in embassies English is the language used.

English, the Language of International Education

Business

Trade

Students go abroad and study - they have lectures in English at their own universities - text books are in English - using online tools requires English skills - English is the language of technology and science - thus if you want to be a scientist, you have to know English well. All papers have to be in English...and you will have to present your findings in English, and of course talk with colleagues all over the world in English.

"Inner, outer and expanding" circle

In the inner circle we find countries like the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia and new Zealand, ie people who have English as their native language. In the outer circle we find all the countries in which English is taught as a second language (ESL) amongst which you find Norway. Finally, in the expanding circle, English is taught as a foreign language (EFL), and here you find countries like China and Russia.

Newspapers all around the world have English editions

English - Also the Language of Art and Entertainment

After WWII the USA emerged as the world's superpower and as such spread its soft power as well as hard power.

In fact two billion people speak or use English in one way or another on a daily basis. Non-native speakers outnumber native speakers 3 to 1!

media

American movies, sitcoms, series are as popular as ever. Music is all over and most often the lyrics are in English. News channels broadcast in English all over the world, and through media English becomes the language of international politics.