NEW: Take the English Mania Quiz.
Update: I have now added an advanced challenge in the comment section. Find it on page 5 of the comments. (Don't look ahead until you try it. Answers on page 6.)

English-Mania

On Twitter today I came across a link to a speech titled "English Mania". In his speech, Jay Walker poses this question:

"Is English a tsunami washing away other languages?"This month, let's practise expressing our opinion. Since you are all learners or teachers of English I'm interested in knowing your thoughts on the question above. If you have time, please watch the video below first.In your response try to:1) State your opinion2) Give reasons and examples for your opinion3) Conclude or summarize your opinion*Please come back often to read and comment on the opinions.Stating your opinion:In my opinionIf you ask meTo be honestTo start...I agree thatI disagree thatFrom my perspectiveIn my country/culture/familyI firmly believeStating reasonsThe reason whyMy beliefMy feeling is thatFirst of allGiving more reasons and examplesFurthermore...In addition...Another reason...Likewise...Second of allConclude or summarize your opinion:In conclusionAs a resultAs mentionedAs I said (suitable for speaking)In the endAll in allOther useful expressions when expressing opinion:to be honestwithout a doubtmerelyin some casesit's conceivable thaton the other handcontrary to
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Comments

  • i found it very useful , specialy for new cummer like me .
  • Great writing Sarah! I'm so glad you joined this discussion.
  • Hi Tara,
    I'm so happy to be here again. Sorry for my absence, during which something was wrong with my computer. I'll catch up with you all. I have read the new "Question of the month" you mentioned and found that the answers are beneficial to learners.
  • Hi expectorsmith,
    It's so great to see your name again. I hope you'll read the new "Question of the Month" in ESL magazine which talks a bit about the "time and pain" of learning English that you mention.
  • I'd say it's still an interesting topic, which might lead to the answer to some questions about whether we need to learn English. As you know, it's not easy to learn a foreign language - it really takes time and pain. But, once you've realized the importance of learning English, you'll know it's worth it. We are all doing the right thing here.

    Incidentally, I'd like to thank Tara for the correcting - I saw my errors be corrected. Thanks again.

  • From my perspective, learning a new language washing away other languages as you can see now a day’s people try hard to learn one or two more languages so whenever day want to speak their own language , they automatically use some new word which recently has been learned ,My feeling is that this just happen because the world is under pleasure of learning a new languages ,Furthermore parents push their children to learn at a low ages to different language school also adult are really interested to learn , In conclusion, learning a new language such an English must be in a very rich environments what I mean is that must be teach very clear and useful in order not to wash the own language .to be honest this is very hard and need a brilliants idea.
  • I firmly believe that there is no language suitable for anyone other than her mother language and i totally disagree with the statement. Well almost all language are somehow mother languages to somebody and we get it as we have different cultures. Every culture has its own style, own language to communicate and to communicate with people with other culture we need a mutual language. Here comes the necessary of English as it is an International language and most of the schools/colleges/universities have this as subject or medium of instruction. I also believe that nobody feels comfort to speak English with his friends/families except using her native language. but yes it is English which is the only language whenever u foreigners as you might not what it her native language but surely English will be her second language or third language or whatever.

    In the end, i would like to say that English is absolutely essential for all but not as a first language. It should be the second language and its impossible to wash out other languages.
  • Hi Tara,

    Thank you very much for your corrections. It is really usefull. I am sure that I have my limitation in writing; however I will write to improve it and I know through your dedication, you will help to improve my English writing.

    Once again, thank you very much and best regards,
    Ronnie
  • You can now take my English Mania quiz here.
  • Corrections to my challenge:
    1. Another reasons are the new technologies,the TV channels,and especially the "Web". Correction: "Other reasons are"...

    2. Moreover, people who wants to improve their quality of life immigrate to developing countries which are English-speaking countries.
    Correction: "developing countries" generally refers to poorer countries that are not industrialized. I think the writer meant, "Moreover, people who want to improve their quality of life move to English-speaking countries that are more developed.

    3. Then why they'd like to speak dialect?
    without language we can not communicate with people from different contries and since many people are using english so it's impotant to learn it . Correction: Then why would they...since many people are using English it's important to learn it.

    4. Likewise, people need keep our mother tongue it's make who we are, I love English but I love my first language too. Correction: "We need to keep our mother tongue because it makes us who we are. I love English, but I love my first language too.

    5. As a result the world-wide market adopted the English language in their products as an easier way to become it known and to conquer their customers. Correction: "make it known". Also "conquer" seems like the wrong word here. To "win over" would be better.

    6. Why English is so popular or what makes English the most used language in the globe? Correction: "Why is English so popular... "on the globe"?

    7. However, as Sri lankans we like to keep "Sinhala" as a pure language , because of that Sinhala doesn't expand at all but at the same time English is expanding like a air balloon. Correction: "However, as Sri Lankans we like to keep "Sinhala" as a pure language. Due to this fact, (or "Because of this") Sinhala doesn't grow at all while English is expanding like a hot air balloon (an air balloon)."

    8.In my country, the government change the policy that Mathematics and science must in English. Correction: "In my country, the government changed the policy that Mathematics and Science must be taught in English."OR "In my country, the new government policy is that Math and Science be taught in English."

    9. Students should study English since primary school and grow with English and this is just about to happen. Correction (because it was awkward): "Students should start studying English in primary school in order to grow up with the language. This is going to be the case soon."

    10. Discovering new technologies , developing science and maintaining a stable economy they have spread an image of successful country and as a consequence their language followed the same way. Correction: "By discovering new technologies , developing science and maintaining a stable economy, the US has gained the reputation of being a successful country. As a consequence their language has been adopted internationally."

    Note: There are lots of other ways of rewriting these sentences! Thanks to all of the advanced learners for helping out.
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