Title: What is English? Name: Ronquillo, Nelen May I. Subject: English 102 Prof.

: Lynn Besa

Introduction: What is English? I interpret as asking not about the language, but about the segment of the academic structure conventionally labeled English. What indeed is English? What is the role of English in the world today or before? Why is it difficult to study English? What are the connections of English as a second language and second language acquisition in the study of English? The old answer will not do. The educational milieu has changed dramatically in the last decades. It will change more drastically in the coming years. Education, and particularly the internal organization of education, is conservative. It has not change with the demands. But the stresses are building up. Soon the elastic limit will be reached and no conservative force can hold any longer. There will be internal reorganization in education. It behooves us to foresee it, to prepare for it and perhaps to anticipate it.

Discussion: The English language is a West-Germanic language which originated in England and has since spread throughout the British Isles and into various regions where Britain held overseas colonies. English is the third most popular world language, as measured by the number of native speakers, which was around 402 million in 2002. It is also the most popular non-native acquired language in the world, as the cultural, economic, military, political and scientific importance of the United States of America and the United Kingdom for the last two centuries has given English pre-eminent status as a language of international communication. As we know that we are living in the world of globalization. English language is a common language and is spoken in many countries. It is considered as universal language. Most of the universities worldwide include English as one of their major subject. India is also competing with the other countries in terms of education and many other things. Hence, we are forced to meet global standards. English is the first and foremost criteria whether you are applying for a job or you are seeking admission in a reputed college/university/institution. Companies welcome those candidates who are

fluent English and have the relevant qualification and skill set. However, candidates with the relevant qualification without having proper knowledge of English language are being rejected. The first round is generally self introduction round and the second round is followed by Group Discussion and the final round is the interview. English is important for communication in a clear and unambiguous manner with other people. Because of universal usage it has become the universal communications tool in the world of today. About 25% of the worlds resources are used by the Americans and it is important for the economies of all nations to trade with and therefore communicate with the Americans in English. English presents a number of issues to non-native (and sometimes native) speakers. It is grammatically unlike other languages, even those from which it has borrowed large vocabulary groups, and possesses a number of irregularities. Understanding these features of English may help the non-native speaker grasp the language and help native speakers see why learning English can be so difficult. One problem with learning English is that is not directly related to many languages. The two closest are Scots and Frisian, but even these are not, for the most part, mutually intelligible with English. One of the things that make learning a new language easier is already speaking a related language, and very few people speak languages closely related to English. English as a second language (ESL), English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) and English as a foreign language (EFL) all refer to the use or study of English by speakers with different native languages. The precise usage, including the different use of the terms ESL and ESOL in different countries, is described below. These terms are most commonly used in relation to teaching and learning English, but they may also be used in relation to demographic information. Second-language acquisition or second-language learning is the process by which people learn a second language. Second-language acquisition (often abbreviated to SLA) is also the name of the scientific discipline devoted to studying that process. Second language refers to any language learned in addition to a person's first language; although the concept is named second language acquisition, it can also incorporate the learning of third, fourth or subsequent languages. Second-language acquisition refers to what learners do; it does not refer to practices in language teaching.

Implications: Before, today or tomorrow English plays an important role in our daily life. There are times that there are difficulties in studying English, but when you know how to deal with it you will realize how important it is to you. Encouraging English as a second language is helpful for a person to become globally competitive. We know that English

is an international language; it serves as bridge to the different races which has different language to communicate and to understand each other.

References: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_English_language_important_Why http://english-preparation.blogspot.com/2010/07/importance-of-english-language.html http://www.allfreeessays.com/topics/importance-of-english-language/0 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language