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.)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
No doubt the overwhelming influence of the U.S. is one of the reasons for the popularity - American movies, newspapers, radios, speeches by some famous Americans etc. No wonder more learners prefer AmE to BrE (British English). Other English-speaking countries, such as Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, contribute to the popularity as well.
But we also got other popular languages - Spanish, Chinese, Russian, French etc. And the dialects add to the varieties of language. A southerner may probably not understand what a northerner is speaking, even they live in the same country. I realize people tend to speak their own dialect. You may ask why not speak a common language instead?
I'd say English and other languages will coexist, and the all kinds of dialects may be spoken as well. Have you got your own dialect(s)? Can you still speak the dialect?
First, the British brought the English language to the then 'New Continent', America. The Americans speak English. The U.S. is so big a power and it's influence is overwhelming. So, the English language is getting so popular in the world. Imagine, if the Americans didn't speak English, if they spoke French or any other language, then is English so popular now?
Second, we may really need a common language to facilitate the communication with people from around the world. You may want to learn more, get ahead, get a good job, a promotion, live a decent life etc.
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Wow, what an excellent response. I hope all of the readers and contributors in this month's challenge will learn from your writing sample. Take note of Anna's use of expressive language as well as her clear transitions:
If you ask me...
I for one...
I'll second...(a form of agreeing with another person's opinion)
Let's take ....for example...
Clearly...
In conclusion...
Thanks Anna!
In conclusion, I'd like to say that English is a marvellous language and with more learners it will only add to its development.
to conclude i believe that english is the most spoken language around the world .
All nations will soon adapt English to be their second language. May their people want it, or not, they will have to learn and LOVE it if they desire to be a part of the growing world.
I believe it is now a necessity.
English isn't a tsunami. 'Tsunami' is a negative word, isn't it? It may seem overwhelming, but definitely not destructive.
No doubt that English is now everywhere and is getting more and more popular - probably the most popular language in the world. People in a non-English speaking country may need to use, or even love it. But they may also want to keep using their own language, and especially in their own dialect. People in Hong Kong can speak or understand English, Mandarine, but most often they speak their dialect. Dialect is everywhere too, even in English-speaking nations. I must say the dialect is hard to understand. Then why they'd like to speak dialect? Why not speak a common language instead?
In conclusion, English may be the most used, popular language in the globe, but some other languages will coexist.