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Essay on the Importance of the English Language for Students

value of english language essay

  • Updated on  
  • Oct 14, 2023

essay on importance of English language

The English language is one of the most popular spoken languages across the world. Because of this reason, more and more people are investing their time in learning the English language. Learning a language is like gaining knowledge with tons of benefits. This blog includes an essay on the importance of the English language for students will help you get a better understanding of the same.

Table of Contents

  • 1 Essay on the Importance of the English Language in 100 Words
  • 2 Essay on the Importance of English Language in 200 Words
  • 3.1 Reasons to Learn the English Language
  • 3.2 Conclusion of the Importance of the English Language

Also Read: Essay on Corruption

Essay on the Importance of the English Language in 100 Words

Language is a major means of communication. It is the way by which we share what we want to such as our thoughts with other people. Another purpose of any language is to convey emotions, sentiments, perspectives, attitudes, etc. The English language is the one that serves both the above-mentioned purposes, hence, it is regarded as the first global language ‘Lingua Franca.’

English Language opens a vast sea of opportunities in the world for those who speak this language. It has eventually turned into an essential requirement in various fields such as computing, medicine , business, etc. Hence, we can say that in today’s fast-evolving world, the English Language has become a storehouse of various knowledge.

Essay on the Importance of English Language in 200 Words

As today’s world is progressing in all aspects and fields, the English Language is becoming extremely important. Most of the transactions, legal documents, official communications, conversations, etc. are done in English. The information available on the internet is mainly in English, hence, we can say that the English Language is the language of the internet.

Furthermore, The English Language can be of great advantage in getting a job easily. Since it is the language used in various fields, it automatically increases the chances of an individual landing a good job in a well-reputed company. As the English Language is the official language of 53 countries, it helps an individual connect with new people without language becoming a barrier.

Whether you are an employee or an employer, it doesn’t matter. The Engish Language benefits everyone. Especially for students who wish to study abroad , should definitely learn the English Language. A lot of countries, even the ones where English is not even an official language, encourage students to learn English as a secondary language. Learning the English Language will definitely help you in various business endeavors that you may choose to pursue. With the numerous benefits and reasons mentioned above, and countless unnamed ones, it is clear to say that the importance of the English Language is more than meets the eye, and learning the same would open doors to countless opportunities.  

Also Read:- Best Sounding Languages You Should Learn

Essay on the Importance of English Language in 300 words

In order to keep up with the fast-paced world, fit into society, and be future-ready, it becomes essential to learn the English Language, such is the importance of it. It automatically becomes essential because, from the very elementary level, the mode of education itself is English.

The English language is becoming more and more popular each day. As a result of the same, many people are dedicating their time to learning the English Language, as their secondary language. Its true values lie in the ability to help remove various barriers from our day-to-day lives.

Reasons to Learn the English Language

  • Travel Purposes: The English language is the official language in approximately 53 countries. More than 1.35 billion people in the world speak English for purposes like tourism, jobs, business meetings, casual visits, etc. English comes in handy in all aspects.
  • English on the Internet: It is clear that English is the language of the Internet. It plays an important role in promoting and spreading the same throughout the world.
  • English for Communication: As mentioned above, English is the Official Language in many countries. Hence, it becomes essential for good communication as well.
  • Use of English in Education: It has become a major language to impart education and explain various concepts to the students in the form of written text, tools, materials, etc. Hence, for students or people involved in activities related to academics, learning English is of utmost importance. 

Conclusion of the Importance of the English Language

People all around the world use the English language for various purposes, be it education, or simply communication, English Language is gaining value more than any other language and has become a necessity for almost every individual to learn. Although it might not be the most spoken language in the world, it certainly is used by a major fraction of approximately 400 million people around the world. Hence, we can say that learning the English Language will be extremely beneficial and will open doors to many new opportunities for the individual. 

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The English Language has become a major language to impart education and explain various concepts to the students in the form of written text, tools, materials, etc. Hence, for students or any studying individual, learning English is of utmost importance. 

Language is a major means of communication. It is the way by which we share what we want to such as our thoughts with other people. Another purpose of any language is to convey emotions, sentiments, perspectives, attitudes, etc. The English language is the one that serves both the above-mentioned purposes, hence, it is regarded as the first global language “ Lingua Franca”. English Language opens a vast sea of opportunities in the world for those who speak this language. It has eventually turned into an essential requirement in various fields such as computing, medicine, business, etc. Hence, we can say that in today’s fast-evolving world, the English Language has become a storehouse of various knowledge.

The English language is one of the most spoken languages in the world. This is leading to more people dedicating time to learning English as their secondary language. The true value of English helps remove many hurdles from our lives. In order to keep up with the fast-paced world, fit into society, and be future-ready, it becomes essential to learn the English Language, such is the importance of it. It automatically becomes essential because, from the very elementary level, the mode of education itself is English. With the numerous benefits and reasons, and countless unnamed ones, it is clear to say that the importance of the English Language is more than meets the eye, and learning the same would open doors to countless opportunities. 

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The Importance of English: 11 Reasons to Learn the Language

What makes English an important language , not just a  common one?

Is it really worth putting all that time, effort and energy into learning English ?

English is an important language for all kinds of professional and personal goals.

Whether you are just starting out or need some motivation to keep going, understanding the importance of the language will help you reach fluency and change your life .

1. English Is the Most Spoken Language in the World

2. english will teach you about world history, 3. english opens up new career opportunities, 4. english is the top language of the internet, 5. english tests can get you into school, 6. english makes traveling so much easier, 7. english allows you to make more friends, 8. english allows you to enjoy hollywood, 9. english lets you enjoy (and learn from) a ton of internet videos, 10. english widens your reading horizons, 11. learning english can make you smarter, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

According to a report from Statistics & Data, English is the most spoken language in the world . 

And if you include people who use it as a second language, an estimated 1.5 billion people worldwide speak English. Further, a total of 96 countries in the world use English .

Considering that there are over 190 countries , that means over half of the countries you will visit likely use English as their lingua franca —the main language that people from various groups use to communicate with each other.

Throughout the centuries, the British Empire expanded and ruled over many different countries. The empire (a group of countries ruled by a single government) forced the people they ruled over to speak English.

Because the empire lasted over 300 years, many of the countries under the former British Empire (like Ireland, which had Gaelic as its original language ) speak English to this day.

When you are studying English, you will come across the different types used around the world . When you know the history of English as it is used in a certain country, the similarities and differences between, say, Australian and New Zealand English make much more sense.

Many companies need employees who can communicate with partners and clients all over the world. Very often, that means finding employees who speak English.

Are you job hunting ? Do you just want to keep your professional options open? Learning English can be an important step to achieving those goals.

The global job market has even created new positions for bilingual people (people fluent in two languages). By learning English, you could become a translator, a language teacher or an English marketing professional for a global company.

Like in real life, English is the most-used language online, with 55 percent (or over half) of all websites using the language. That means if you can understand and read English, you can access and enjoy a lot of written resources online.

For example, you can read online news articles . You can participate in a discussion on a forum like Reddit . You can send an email to someone from halfway across the globe. The possibilities are endless!

Also, many people and businesses conduct (do) research, market themselves or communicate and develop connections on sites like LinkedIn —making internet English crucial to professional success as well.

If you learn English well enough to  pass tests like the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), you can study in English-language universities across the globe.

The TOEFL is one of the most common English proficiency tests. Others include the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and the Cambridge exams . Some colleges or language centers even offer classes to help you practice for these tests.

Even if you are not taking a test for a specific reason, studying for an English exam can still help you improve your language skills.

Just knowing English travel phrases is great if you just want to do things like get around a hotel or ask for directions. But if you want to stay in that country for at least a few years or so, you need to expand your vocabulary. 

For example, if you live in an apartment (a room or unit in a building where you pay rent to a landlord), you need to know some house vocabulary in case you have trouble with your bathroom and need to ask someone for help.

And if you regularly interact (come into contact with) native English speakers, you need to know what the daily phrases they use mean.

Because English is the most widely used language online and offline, you are likely to meet English speakers when you are traveling or using chat apps like WhatsApp .

When you know their language, it is easier to share common interests like your favorite food , music and much more.

And hey, you may even want to surprise your new buddy (friend) with some of the weirdest English words you know—or at least ask them about the best way to use those words.

Understanding English means you can enjoy modern Hollywood blockbusters (very popular/successful movies) as well as classic films from different generations —and talk about them with other film-loving, English-speaking friends .

Not sure where to watch movies in English? Check out streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video as well as free services like Crackle and Tubi TV .

If you do not have time for a movie marathon (an event where you watch two or more movies consecutively), websites like YouTube and Vimeo can also give you engaging English videos that discuss all kinds of topics.

FluentU takes authentic videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.

You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app or Android app.

P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

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Want to put more books on your bookshelf? When you know English, you can read popular books written in English like “Harry Potter,”   “Twilight,”   “The Hunger Games” and more.

If you want to read books in English for free, here are some options:

  • Check out a local library. Even if you don’t live in an English-speaking region, your library likely has an English- or foreign-language section.
  • Use e-book services like Kindle or Nook . These usually have many free downloads. Browse their huge selections to see if any free English books interest you.
  • Visit sites that have books in the public domain. When you say that a book is in the public domain , it means the book’s copyright has expired. In other words, you can legally download the book for free. One good site for books like these is Project Gutenberg —if you are taking an English literature class, this resource will come in handy!

Research shows that learning a new language changes your brain structure (in a good way). It impacts the parts of your brain  responsible for memory, conscious thought and more.

Put simply, learning a new language can make your brain stronger and more versatile (flexible or able to do more things).

Research also shows that bilingualism can keep the brain strong and healthy into old age and help with memory, concentration and other skills.

Well, what are you waiting for? Now that you know the importance of the English language, you can start learning . The sooner you do so, the sooner you can enjoy all of these benefits!

If you like learning English through movies and online media, you should also check out FluentU. FluentU lets you learn English from popular talk shows, catchy music videos and funny commercials , as you can see here:

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If you want to watch it, the FluentU app has probably got it.

The FluentU app and website makes it really easy to watch English videos. There are captions that are interactive. That means you can tap on any word to see an image, definition, and useful examples.

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FluentU lets you learn engaging content with world famous celebrities.

For example, when you tap on the word "searching," you see this:

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FluentU lets you tap to look up any word.

Learn all the vocabulary in any video with quizzes. Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning.

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FluentU helps you learn fast with useful questions and multiple examples. Learn more.

The best part? FluentU remembers the vocabulary that you’re learning. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You have a truly personalized experience.

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

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How the English Language Conquered the World

value of english language essay

By Amy Chua

  • Jan. 18, 2022

THE RISE OF ENGLISH Global Politics and the Power of Language By Rosemary Salomone

“Every time the question of language surfaces,” the Italian Marxist philosopher Antonio Gramsci wrote, “in one way or another a series of other problems are coming to the fore,” like “the enlargement of the governing class,” the “relationships between the governing groups and the national–popular mass” and the fight over “cultural hegemony.” Vindicating Gramsci, Rosemary Salomone’s “The Rise of English” explores the language wars being fought all over the world, revealing the political, economic and cultural stakes behind these wars, and showing that so far English is winning. It is a panoramic, endlessly fascinating and eye-opening book, with an arresting fact on nearly every page.

English is the world’s most widely spoken language, with some 1.5 billion speakers even though it’s native for fewer than 400 million. English accounts for 60 percent of world internet content and is the lingua franca of pop culture and the global economy. All 100 of the world’s most influential science journals publish in English. “Across Europe, close to 100 percent of students study English at some point in their education.”

Even in France, where countering the hegemony of English is an official obsession, English is winning. French bureaucrats constantly try to ban Anglicisms “such as gamer , dark web and fake news ,” Salomone writes, but their edicts are “quietly ignored.” Although a French statute called the Toubon Law “requires radio stations to play 35 percent French songs,” “the remaining 65 percent is flooded with American music.” Many young French artists sing in English. By law, French schoolchildren must study a foreign language, and while eight languages are available, 90 percent choose English.

Salomone, the Kenneth Wang professor of law at St. John’s University School of Law, tends to glide over why English won, simply stating that English is the language of neoliberalism and globalization, which seems to beg the question. But she is meticulous and nuanced in chronicling the battles being fought over language policy in countries ranging from Italy to Congo, and analyzing the unexpected winners and losers.

Exactly whom English benefits is complicated. Obviously it benefits native Anglophones. Americans, with what Salomone calls their “smug monolingualism,” are often blissfully unaware of the advantage they have because of the worldwide dominance of their native tongue. English also benefits globally connected market-dominant minorities in non-Western countries, like English-speaking whites in South Africa or the Anglophone Tutsi elite in Rwanda. In former French colonies like Algeria and Morocco, shifting from French to English is seen not just as the key to modernization, but as a form of resistance against their colonial past.

In India, the role of English is spectacularly complex. The ruling Hindu nationalist Indian People’s Party prefers to depict English as the colonizers’ language, impeding the vision of an India unified by Hindu culture and Hindi. By contrast, for speakers of non-Hindi languages and members of lower castes, English is often seen as a shield against majority domination. Some reformers see English as an “egalitarian language” in contrast to Indian languages, which carry “the legacy of caste.” English is also a symbol of social status. As a character in a recent Bollywood hit says: “English isn’t just a language in this country. It’s a class.” Meanwhile, Indian tiger parents, “from the wealthiest to the poorest,” press for their children to be taught in English, seeing it as the ticket to upward mobility.

Salomone’s South Africa chapter is among the most interesting in the book. Along with Afrikaans, English is one of South Africa’s 11 official languages, and even though only 9.6 percent of the population speak English as their first language, it “dominates every sector,” including government, the internet, business, broadcasting, the press, street signs and popular music. But English is not only the language of South Africa’s commercial and political elite. It was also the language of Black resistance to the Afrikaner-dominated apartheid regime, giving it enormous symbolic importance. Thus, recent years have seen poor and working-class Black activists pushing for English-only instruction in universities, even though many of them are not proficient in the language. Opponents of English, however, argue that shifting away from Afrikaans instruction disproportionately hurts the poor of all races, including lower-income Blacks, whites and mixed-race “colored” South Africans. Meanwhile, younger “colored activists are challenging the English-Afrikaans binary and exploring alternate forms of expression, like AfriKaaps,” a form of Afrikaans promoted by hip-hop artists. For now, though, “the constitutional commitment to language equality in South Africa is aspirational at best,” and “English reigns supreme for its economic power.”

Learning English pays, with “positive labor market returns across the globe.” Throughout academia today, even in Europe and Asia, “the rule no longer is ‘Publish or perish’ but rather ‘Publish in English … or perish.’” In the Middle East, “employees who were more proficient in English earned salaries from 5 percent (Tunisia) to a stunning 200 percent (Iraq) more than their non-English-speaking counterparts.” In Argentina, 90 percent of employers “believed that English was an indispensable skill for managers and directors.” In every country she surveys, higher income is correlated with English proficiency.

Salomone concludes with a brief discussion of American monolingualism, describing the waves of political angst over threats to English as the national language, while advocating for more multilingualism in Anglophone countries. Beyond the economic benefits of speaking multiple languages in a globalized world, Salomone cites studies that show learning new languages improves overall cognitive function. In addition, she argues, “observing life through a wide linguistic and cultural lens leads to greater creativity and innovation.”

“The Rise of English” has its weaknesses. Most important, the book lacks any clear thesis beyond suggesting “language is political; it’s complicated.” In addition, the book doesn’t tie together or reflect on the divergence of its case studies; I frequently found myself wondering why the experiences of (say) France or Italy or Denmark were different, and what we should take from that fact.

Finally, the book offers no clear evaluative framework. Salomone focuses primarily on straightforward economic factors (which often boil down to the same thing: access to global markets), but there is a smattering of underdeveloped discussion of other, more elusive themes too, like race, equity, colonialism and imperialism. This hodgepodge of incommensurables may trace back to the book’s origins. In her preface, Salomone writes, “My initial plan was to write a book on the value of language in the global economy.” But “the deeper I dug … the more I viewed the issues through a wider global lens and the clearer the connections to educational equity, identity and democratic participation appeared.” Unfortunately, she never quite gets a handle on these deeper issues.

Will Mandarin, with its 1.11 billion speakers, eventually replace English as the world’s lingua franca? Will Google or Microsoft Translate moot the issue? Salomone’s painstakingly thorough book addresses these questions too (concluding probably not).

The justifications for English — or any language — as a global lingua franca are based primarily in economic efficiency. By contrast, the reasons to protect local languages mostly sound in different registers — the importance of cultural heritage; the geopolitics of resistance to great powers; the value of Indigenous art; the beauty of idiosyncratic words in other languages that describe all the different types of snow or the different flavors of melancholia. As Gramsci reminded us, the question of who speaks what language invariably puts all this on the table.

Amy Chua is the John M. Duff Jr. professor of law at Yale Law School and the author of “World on Fire: How Exporting Free Market Democracy Breeds Ethnic Hatred and Global Instability” and “Political Tribes: Group Instinct and the Fate of Nations.”

THE RISE OF ENGLISH Global Politics and the Power of Language By Rosemary Salomone 488 pp. Oxford University Press. $35.

Home — Essay Samples — Science — English Language — The importance of English language

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The Importance of English Language

  • Categories: English Language

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Words: 1323 |

Published: Oct 22, 2018

Words: 1323 | Pages: 3 | 7 min read

  • It’s the most commonly spoken language in the world
  • It’s the language of international business
  • Most movies are in English:
  • It’s easy to learn:
  • It helps you understand other languages
  • You can say things in a hundred different ways:
  • It can be used around the world:
  • It’s is the language of Sports:
  • It’s the language of the internet:
  • It continues to change:
  • Most countries know how to speak English. Out of one, five people can speak or at least understand English
  • English is the language of Science computers etc. So if you want to do the job in such fields you must learn English.
  • English is the official language of 53 countries. That’s why it is important to learn English.
  • English is spoken as a first language by around 400 million people around the world.
  • English is the language of the media industry. So if you learn English you don’t have to rely on subtitle or dubbing to enjoy your favorite shows.
  • English is also the language of the Internet. Many websites are in English. So you must learn English.
  • English is based on a simple alphabet and has a simple vocabulary so it requires little effort to learn English
  • English is not only useful – it gives you a lot of satisfaction. Making progress feels great. You will enjoy learning English if you remember that every hour you spend gets you closer to perfection.
  • Since English is spoken in so many different countries there are thousands of schools around the world that offer programs in English. If you speak English, you have a lot of opportunities to work in schools and you may able to apply somewhere for a job.
  • By learning English you can also learn about cultures. And English is also known as the language of freedom. You can also enjoy a lot of quotes and inspirational writings in English so it is also the source of motivation.

Works Cited

  • Crystal, D. (2003). English as a Global Language. Cambridge University Press.
  • Graddol, D. (2010). English Next: Why Global English May Mean the End of 'English as a Foreign Language'. British Council.
  • Jenkins, J. (2015). Global Englishes: A Resource Book for Students. Routledge.
  • McKay, S. L., & Bokhorst-Heng, W. D. (2008). International English in Its Sociolinguistic Contexts: Towards a Socially Sensitive EIL Pedagogy. Routledge.
  • Pennycook, A. (2017). The Cultural Politics of English as an International Language. Routledge.
  • Crystal, D. (2012). English as a Global Language : Implications for Translation Studies. In Translation: A Multidisciplinary Approach (pp. 97-113). Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Seidlhofer, B. (2011). Understanding English as a Lingua Franca. Oxford University Press.
  • Kachru, B. B. (1992). The Other Tongue: English across Cultures. University of Illinois Press.
  • Modiano, M. (2016). English as a Lingua Franca: Theorizing and Teaching English. Modern Language Journal, 100(3), 676-691.
  • McKay, S. L. (2002). Teaching English as an International Language: Rethinking Goals and Approaches. Oxford University Press.

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value of english language essay

Mr Greg's English Cloud

Short Essay: Importance Of English

In a world increasingly connected by globalization, the English language holds a special place as a primary medium of international communication. Writing an essay on the importance of English can provide insights into its role in global business, technology, science, and cultural exchange. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to craft a compelling short essay on this topic.

Table of Contents

Title and Introduction

Title : Choose a title that is both informative and catchy, such as “English: The Bridge to Global Unity”.

Introduction : Start with an engaging hook to draw in the reader. This could be an interesting statistic, a quote from a renowned linguist, or a brief anecdote about how English facilitated a significant international agreement. Briefly outline the prevalence of English and its role as a global lingua franca. Conclude the introduction with a thesis statement that highlights the main points you will discuss, such as its utility in global business, education, and as a cultural connector.

Body of the Essay

Global Business and Economy :

  • Paragraph 1 : Discuss how English serves as the de facto language of global commerce. Highlight how multinational corporations, international trade negotiations, and global finance sectors predominantly use English. Provide examples such as the use of English in major business hubs like New York, London, and Hong Kong.

Science and Technology :

  • Paragraph 2 : Explain the significance of English in science and technology. Most scientific research, particularly in top journals, is published in English. Discuss how this dominance facilitates wider dissemination and collaboration in research across different countries.

Education and Scholarship :

  • Paragraph 3 : Elaborate on the role of English in education and academic scholarship. Many countries offer English-medium instruction in schools and universities to prepare students for global opportunities. Cite examples of countries where English is not the first language, yet plays a crucial role in educational systems.

Cultural Exchange and Communication :

  • Paragraph 4 : Describe how English acts as a bridge in cultural exchange and international relations. Discuss the use of English in international media, entertainment, and the internet. Mention how English allows diverse cultures to share ideas, literature, and art forms globally.

Summarize the key points discussed, reinforcing the thesis about the importance of English in a globalized world. Emphasize how English not only connects diverse populations but also opens up opportunities for growth and understanding. Conclude with a reflective thought on the future of English and its evolving role in the world.

Importance Of English Essay Example #1

English, as a global language, holds immense importance in today’s interconnected world. It serves as a common medium of communication, bridging cultural and linguistic barriers. Understanding the significance of English is crucial for individuals seeking to navigate the realms of education, career opportunities, cultural exchange, and global understanding.

In the realm of education, English plays a pivotal role. It has become the language of instruction in many schools, colleges, and universities worldwide. Proficiency in English enables students to access a vast array of educational resources, including academic literature, research papers, and online courses. Moreover, it opens doors to study opportunities abroad, where renowned institutions often use English as the primary language of instruction. By mastering English, individuals can expand their intellectual horizons and enhance their educational prospects.

English proficiency also offers a multitude of career opportunities. In today’s global job market, many industries require employees to possess strong English language skills. Whether it is in the fields of business, tourism, technology, or international relations, English fluency is often a prerequisite for professional success. Proficient English speakers can collaborate with colleagues from different countries, attract international clients, and participate in global business networks. English proficiency not only broadens career options but also increases employability in a competitive job market.

Furthermore, English serves as a catalyst for cultural exchange. It facilitates communication between people from diverse linguistic backgrounds, enabling them to share ideas, experiences, and knowledge. English is the language of international conferences, academic journals, and diplomatic negotiations. It allows for the exchange of literature, movies, music, and popular culture, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation among different cultures. Through English, individuals can explore and connect with the rich cultural heritage of English-speaking countries and beyond.

Learning English also promotes personal development. It enhances cognitive skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. Exposure to English literature, films, and media exposes individuals to different perspectives and ideas, broadening their horizons. English proficiency empowers individuals to express themselves effectively and confidently, enabling them to engage in meaningful conversations and contribute to discussions on a global scale.

While acknowledging the importance of English, it is crucial to recognize and preserve linguistic diversity. Efforts should be made to promote the learning of local languages and respect the cultural heritage they represent. However, the practical advantages of English as a global language cannot be ignored.

In conclusion, the importance of English cannot be overstated. It serves as a fundamental tool for communication, education, career advancement, cultural exchange, and personal growth. Proficiency in English opens doors to a world of opportunities, enabling individuals to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and access a wealth of knowledge. Embracing the importance of English is essential for individuals seeking to thrive in our increasingly interconnected and globalized society.

Importance Of English Essay Example #2

English has emerged as a dominant global language, playing a crucial role in our increasingly interconnected and globalized world. Its importance transcends borders, enabling communication, fostering cultural exchange, and providing access to educational and career opportunities. Understanding the significance of English is essential for individuals seeking to navigate today’s global landscape.

Firstly, English serves as a universal language of communication. It bridges the linguistic divide, allowing people from different countries and cultures to connect and understand one another. English proficiency enables individuals to communicate effectively in international settings, whether it be for business transactions, academic collaborations, or leisure travel. In an era where cross-cultural interactions are commonplace, English acts as the lingua franca, breaking down barriers and facilitating meaningful dialogue.

Secondly, English is of paramount importance in the realm of education. It has become the language of instruction in many academic institutions worldwide. Proficiency in English opens doors to a vast array of educational resources, including textbooks, research papers, and online courses. It also provides access to scholarship opportunities and study programs offered by renowned universities in English-speaking countries. By mastering English, individuals can enhance their educational prospects and participate in the global academic community.

Moreover, English proficiency offers a multitude of career advantages. In today’s competitive job market, many employers require strong English language skills. Proficiency in English expands career opportunities, particularly in multinational corporations, international organizations, and industries that operate on a global scale. English fluency enables effective communication with colleagues, clients, and business partners from different countries. It enhances one’s employability and increases the chances of career advancement in an interconnected world.

Furthermore, English acts as a gateway to global culture and knowledge. It is the language of global media, entertainment, and the internet. Access to English-language literature, films, music, and online resources allows individuals to engage with diverse perspectives and ideas. English proficiency enables individuals to participate in cultural exchanges, appreciate different art forms, and gain a deeper understanding of the world around them. It broadens horizons and promotes cultural awareness and sensitivity.

While acknowledging the importance of English, it is crucial to maintain and value linguistic diversity. Local languages and cultures should be preserved and celebrated, as they are integral to our collective heritage. Efforts should be made to promote bilingualism and multilingualism, encouraging individuals to learn English while also preserving their native languages.

In conclusion, the significance of English in a globalized world cannot be overstated. It serves as a language of communication, education, career advancement, and cultural exchange. Proficiency in English enables individuals to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, access knowledge and opportunities, and participate in global conversations. Embracing the importance of English empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of our interconnected world and thrive in a globalized society.

Importance Of English Essay Example #3

English, as a language of immense power and influence, holds a significant place in today’s world. Its global reach and widespread usage make it indispensable for communication, education, trade, and cultural exchange. Understanding the power and influence of the English language is essential for individuals seeking to navigate the complexities of our interconnected and globalized society.

One of the key reasons for the importance of English is its status as a lingua franca. It serves as a common language that connects people from different linguistic backgrounds. English proficiency enables individuals to communicate with ease, both domestically and internationally. Whether it is for business negotiations, academic collaborations, or personal interactions, English acts as a bridge, facilitating effective communication and fostering understanding among diverse cultures and communities.

Furthermore, English has become the language of international business and commerce. In an increasingly globalized economy, knowledge of English is often a prerequisite for professional success. Many multinational corporations conduct their operations in English, and proficiency in the language opens doors to a plethora of career opportunities. From job interviews to networking events, English fluency is highly valued and can significantly enhance employability and career prospects.

The influence of the English language extends beyond the realm of business. It is the language of science, technology, and innovation. A significant portion of scientific research and academic publications is conducted and published in English. Access to English-language resources and journals is crucial for staying updated with the latest advancements in various fields. By mastering English, individuals can actively contribute to global knowledge exchange and participate in cutting-edge research and development.

English also plays a pivotal role in the realm of education. Proficiency in English provides access to high-quality educational resources, including textbooks, scholarly articles, and online courses. It allows individuals to pursue higher education in prestigious institutions around the world that offer programs in English. Additionally, English proficiency enhances academic performance, as it improves critical thinking, analytical skills, and the ability to articulate ideas effectively.

Culturally, the English language has a profound impact. It serves as a vehicle for the dissemination of literature, films, music, and popular culture. English-language literature, such as the works of Shakespeare, Dickens, and Austen, has influenced and shaped literary traditions worldwide. English-language films and music have global reach, transcending borders and cultures. By understanding English, individuals can engage with diverse cultural expressions and participate in the global exchange of ideas and creativity.

While recognizing the power and influence of English, it is important to promote linguistic diversity and preserve local languages and cultures. Multilingualism should be encouraged to ensure that the richness and diversity of languages are maintained. Efforts should be made to provide equal access to education and resources in different languages, ensuring that linguistic diversity flourishes alongside the prominence of English.

In conclusion, the power and influence of the English language cannot be underestimated. It serves as a global language of communication, trade, education, and culture. Proficiency in English opens doors to opportunities, facilitates international interactions, and enhances personal and professional growth. By embracing the power of English while promoting linguistic diversity, we can navigate the complexities of our interconnected world and foster a truly inclusive and globally aware society.

Final Writing Tips

  • Be Concise : Given the short essay format, focus on making each paragraph idea-rich but succinct.
  • Use Examples : Concrete examples enhance credibility and make abstract ideas more relatable.
  • Stay Objective : While highlighting the importance, acknowledge the diversity of global languages and the importance of multilingualism.
  • Proofread : Ensure clarity and coherence in your writing, and check for grammatical accuracy.
  • Engage Your Audience : Write in a way that would interest someone unfamiliar with the topic by explaining jargon and providing context for your points.

About Mr. Greg

Mr. Greg is an English teacher from Edinburgh, Scotland, currently based in Hong Kong. He has over 5 years teaching experience and recently completed his PGCE at the University of Essex Online. In 2013, he graduated from Edinburgh Napier University with a BEng(Hons) in Computing, with a focus on social media.

Mr. Greg’s English Cloud was created in 2020 during the pandemic, aiming to provide students and parents with resources to help facilitate their learning at home.

Whatsapp: +85259609792

[email protected]

value of english language essay

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Essay On Importance Of English Language

An essay on the importance of English language: It has its origins in the early medieval period. It is a West Germanic language, and is spoken around the globe today. Its development duration has been almost 1400 years.

In the present world, English acts as a unifying factor for people from all over the globe as it is the language in which all forms of media are available.

Table of Contents

Essay On Importance Of English Language 150 Words

The English language has become one of the world’s most important international languages. English is the language of most transactions, conversations, legal documents, official communication, documentation, laws, books, education, and even the computer interface. There is far more information available in English on the Internet or elsewhere than even in our native language.

Although English isn’t absolutely necessary to live, work and earn a living, there are very few jobs that don’t require it. Even entry-level government and security positions require comprehension, writing, and conversational skills in English.

It is therefore necessary to learn the English language in order to be able to fit into the society of today as well as in the future. The English language is necessary in order to read advanced knowledge written in English. Learning the language becomes more or less essential if we intend to pursue higher education. Unfortunately, many sign boards and notice boards are written in English as well.

Russia, France, Spain, China, Japan and so on do not necessarily depend on English for most of their education and lives. They do most of their work in their local language. However, there are about 22 official languages in India, so we sometimes have to use English or Hindi when we visit another state speaking another language. Hindi is not well understood in some states as well, so it becomes necessary to learn English.

Essay on Importance of English Language

Essay On Importance Of English Language 250 Words

The English Language is becoming increasingly common in the world. As a result, many people are dedicating time to studying English as their second language. This language is actually included in many countries’ school syllabuses to teach children from an early age. However, its true value lies in its ability to help remove many barriers from our lives. You can find a new job or travel the world with this language. Essentially, the Importance of English Language Essay will help you gain a better understanding of how it contributes to personal and professional success.

What Is The Importance Of English?

Communication is the primary function of language; it is how we share our thoughts with others. A language’s secondary function is to convey sentiments, emotions, or attitudes. English fulfills both these purposes. It is regarded as the first global language. Almost every existing field uses English as a language to communicate internationally, from business to entertainment. It has been regarded as part of almost every existing field for over a century.

Even nations where English is not an official language teach and encourage youngsters to acquire it as a second language. Many science and engineering textbooks are also written in English.

Now that we have established the importance of learning the English Language, we should discuss why it is so important. Firstly, it is a global language, spoken and understood by 1 in 5 people around the world.

Additionally, learning English can be helpful in finding a job since it has become the language of many fields, thus automatically increasing the chance of landing a good position.

Essay on Importance of English Language

Essay On Importance Of English Language 500 Words

English has become the primary language in schools around the world, making it easier for people from all over the world to connect. The knowledge of English is a common requirement in a variety of fields today.

The English language has evolved from merely a language into a lifestyle. After Chinese and Spanish, English is the next in line to be customized the most. It has an extremely rich vocabulary and, on average, one new word is added every two hours. It is a dynamic language that constantly evolves. Almost all of this development can be attributed to social media, where most interaction takes place in English.

There are only about 400 million native speakers of English in the world, but almost 1.6 billion people can speak or understand the language. It is regarded as the most commonly spoken language in the world.

There is no doubt that English is a career language to some degree, as most employers require their employees to be able to grasp the language properly. It is a common language for multinational business transactions and is a requirement for worldwide recognition.

There is a lot of information available on the internet in English due to the fact that it is the easiest language to be understood by most people. An estimated 80% of the total data available on the internet is exclusively in English. This is an easy-to-understand, straightforward language. In print media, it is the universal language, whether it’s newspapers or journals. It is the language of important books that are meant to reach a large audience.

English is a language that is widely used in a wide range of industries, such as teaching, journalism, business, and so on, so learning it effectively is crucial in our day-to-day lives. A majority of international business is conducted in countries like the UK and the USA, where English is the sole language of business. Knowledge of this language is therefore essential to success in these fields.

Throughout all forms of recreational activity, this international language is used. There is no doubt that Hollywood is the powerhouse of entertainment on a global scale. Movies, books, and even sports all use English as the primary language for all of these activities. It is necessary to understand English if you want to enjoy these movies, especially without dubbing. Currently, English is not a foreign language and has become ingrained in every nerve of the population.

How and why do we need English?

  • Since information technology has grown tremendously, especially the internet, English has become the preferred language for Internet users. In addition to promoting and spreading the English language across the world, the internet has also become the internet’s language as more and more people are exposed to it.
  • It is common to use English as a language for understanding, learning, and explaining concepts from a wide range of fields. In most educational systems, English is required as a foreign language as part of global educational systems. The majority of instructional tools, materials, and texts are written in English.
  • It is well known that English is the official language of 53 countries and that more than 400 million people worldwide speak it. Therefore, English is an ideal language for travel, whether it is for tourism, a job opportunity, settlement, a casual visit, or anything in between.
  • Language is used to communicate effectively; its most basic purpose is to communicate with people effectively. English has been around for many years and is widely recognized and valued around the world.

In most international communications, we use English. Although it is not the world’s most spoken language, 53 countries have named it their official language. It is also the first language of about 400 million people worldwide. Hence, because it is the most frequently spoken second language in the world, learning this language will open new doors.

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Speaking, writing and reading are integral to everyday life, where language is the primary tool for expression and communication. Studying how people use language – what words and phrases they unconsciously choose and combine – can help us better understand ourselves and why we behave the way we do.

Linguistics scholars seek to determine what is unique and universal about the language we use, how it is acquired and the ways it changes over time. They consider language as a cultural, social and psychological phenomenon.

“Understanding why and how languages differ tells about the range of what is human,” said Dan Jurafsky , the Jackson Eli Reynolds Professor in Humanities and chair of the Department of Linguistics in the School of Humanities and Sciences at Stanford . “Discovering what’s universal about languages can help us understand the core of our humanity.”

The stories below represent some of the ways linguists have investigated many aspects of language, including its semantics and syntax, phonetics and phonology, and its social, psychological and computational aspects.

Understanding stereotypes

Stanford linguists and psychologists study how language is interpreted by people. Even the slightest differences in language use can correspond with biased beliefs of the speakers, according to research.

One study showed that a relatively harmless sentence, such as “girls are as good as boys at math,” can subtly perpetuate sexist stereotypes. Because of the statement’s grammatical structure, it implies that being good at math is more common or natural for boys than girls, the researchers said.

Language can play a big role in how we and others perceive the world, and linguists work to discover what words and phrases can influence us, unknowingly.

How well-meaning statements can spread stereotypes unintentionally

New Stanford research shows that sentences that frame one gender as the standard for the other can unintentionally perpetuate biases.

Algorithms reveal changes in stereotypes

New Stanford research shows that, over the past century, linguistic changes in gender and ethnic stereotypes correlated with major social movements and demographic changes in the U.S. Census data.

Exploring what an interruption is in conversation

Stanford doctoral candidate Katherine Hilton found that people perceive interruptions in conversation differently, and those perceptions differ depending on the listener’s own conversational style as well as gender.

Cops speak less respectfully to black community members

Professors Jennifer Eberhardt and Dan Jurafsky, along with other Stanford researchers, detected racial disparities in police officers’ speech after analyzing more than 100 hours of body camera footage from Oakland Police.

How other languages inform our own

People speak roughly 7,000 languages worldwide. Although there is a lot in common among languages, each one is unique, both in its structure and in the way it reflects the culture of the people who speak it.

Jurafsky said it’s important to study languages other than our own and how they develop over time because it can help scholars understand what lies at the foundation of humans’ unique way of communicating with one another.

“All this research can help us discover what it means to be human,” Jurafsky said.

Stanford PhD student documents indigenous language of Papua New Guinea

Fifth-year PhD student Kate Lindsey recently returned to the United States after a year of documenting an obscure language indigenous to the South Pacific nation.

Students explore Esperanto across Europe

In a research project spanning eight countries, two Stanford students search for Esperanto, a constructed language, against the backdrop of European populism.

Chris Manning: How computers are learning to understand language​

A computer scientist discusses the evolution of computational linguistics and where it’s headed next.

Stanford research explores novel perspectives on the evolution of Spanish

Using digital tools and literature to explore the evolution of the Spanish language, Stanford researcher Cuauhtémoc García-García reveals a new historical perspective on linguistic changes in Latin America and Spain.

Language as a lens into behavior

Linguists analyze how certain speech patterns correspond to particular behaviors, including how language can impact people’s buying decisions or influence their social media use.

For example, in one research paper, a group of Stanford researchers examined the differences in how Republicans and Democrats express themselves online to better understand how a polarization of beliefs can occur on social media.

“We live in a very polarized time,” Jurafsky said. “Understanding what different groups of people say and why is the first step in determining how we can help bring people together.”

Analyzing the tweets of Republicans and Democrats

New research by Dora Demszky and colleagues examined how Republicans and Democrats express themselves online in an attempt to understand how polarization of beliefs occurs on social media.

Examining bilingual behavior of children at Texas preschool

A Stanford senior studied a group of bilingual children at a Spanish immersion preschool in Texas to understand how they distinguished between their two languages.

Predicting sales of online products from advertising language

Stanford linguist Dan Jurafsky and colleagues have found that products in Japan sell better if their advertising includes polite language and words that invoke cultural traditions or authority.

Language can help the elderly cope with the challenges of aging, says Stanford professor

By examining conversations of elderly Japanese women, linguist Yoshiko Matsumoto uncovers language techniques that help people move past traumatic events and regain a sense of normalcy.

Interesting Literature

A Summary and Analysis of George Orwell’s ‘Politics and the English Language’

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

‘Politics and the English Language’ (1946) is one of the best-known essays by George Orwell (1903-50). As its title suggests, Orwell identifies a link between the (degraded) English language of his time and the degraded political situation: Orwell sees modern discourse (especially political discourse) as being less a matter of words chosen for their clear meanings than a series of stock phrases slung together.

You can read ‘Politics and the English Language’ here before proceeding to our summary and analysis of Orwell’s essay below.

‘Politics and the English Language’: summary

Orwell begins by drawing attention to the strong link between the language writers use and the quality of political thought in the current age (i.e. the 1940s). He argues that if we use language that is slovenly and decadent, it makes it easier for us to fall into bad habits of thought, because language and thought are so closely linked.

Orwell then gives five examples of what he considers bad political writing. He draws attention to two faults which all five passages share: staleness of imagery and lack of precision . Either the writers of these passages had a clear meaning to convey but couldn’t express it clearly, or they didn’t care whether they communicated any particular meaning at all, and were simply saying things for the sake of it.

Orwell writes that this is a common problem in current political writing: ‘prose consists less and less of words chosen for the sake of their meaning, and more and more of phrases tacked together like the sections of a prefabricated hen-house.’

Next, Orwell elaborates on the key faults of modern English prose, namely:

Dying Metaphors : these are figures of speech which writers lazily reach for, even though such phrases are worn-out and can no longer convey a vivid image. Orwell cites a number of examples, including toe the line , no axe to grind , Achilles’ heel , and swansong . Orwell’s objection to such dying metaphors is that writers use them without even thinking about what the phrases actually mean, such as when people misuse toe the line by writing it as tow the line , or when they mix their metaphors, again, because they’re not interested in what those images evoke.

Operators or Verbal False Limbs : this is when a longer and rather vague phrase is used in place of a single-word (and more direct) verb, e.g. make contact with someone, which essentially means ‘contact’ someone. The passive voice is also common, and writing phrases like by examination of instead of the more direct by examining . Sentences are saved from fizzling out (because the thought or idea being conveyed is not particularly striking) by largely meaningless closing platitudes such as greatly to be desired or brought to a satisfactory conclusion .

Pretentious Diction : Orwell draws attention to several areas here. He states that words like objective , basis , and eliminate are used by writers to dress up simple statements, making subjective opinion sound like scientific fact. Adjectives like epic , historic , and inevitable are used about international politics, while writing that glorifies war is full of old-fashioned words like realm , throne , and sword .

Foreign words and phrases like deus ex machina and mutatis mutandis are used to convey an air of culture and elegance. Indeed, many modern English writers are guilty of using Latin or Greek words in the belief that they are ‘grander’ than home-grown Anglo-Saxon ones: Orwell mentions Latinate words like expedite and ameliorate here. All of these examples are further proof of the ‘slovenliness and vagueness’ which Orwell detects in modern political prose.

Meaningless Words : Orwell argues that much art criticism and literary criticism in particular is full of words which don’t really mean anything at all, e.g. human , living , or romantic . ‘Fascism’, too, has lost all meaning in current political writing, effectively meaning ‘something not desirable’ (one wonders what Orwell would make of the word’s misuse in our current time!).

To prove his point, Orwell ‘translates’ a well-known passage from the Biblical Book of Ecclesiastes into modern English, with all its vagueness of language. ‘The whole tendency of modern prose’, he argues, ‘is away from concreteness.’ He draws attention to the concrete and everyday images (e.g. references to bread and riches) in the Bible passage, and the lack of any such images in his own fabricated rewriting of this passage.

The problem, Orwell says, is that it is too easy (and too tempting) to reach for these off-the-peg phrases than to be more direct or more original and precise in one’s speech or writing.

Orwell advises every writer to ask themselves four questions (at least): 1) what am I trying to say? 2) what words will express it? 3) what image or idiom will make it clearer? and 4) is this image fresh enough to have an effect? He proposes two further optional questions: could I put it more shortly? and have I said anything that is avoidably ugly?

Orthodoxy, Orwell goes on to observe, tends to encourage this ‘lifeless, imitative style’, whereas rebels who are not parroting the ‘party line’ will normally write in a more clear and direct style.

But Orwell also argues that such obfuscating language serves a purpose: much political writing is an attempt to defend the indefensible, such as the dropping of the atomic bomb on Japan (just one year before Orwell wrote ‘Politics and the English Language’), in such a euphemistic way that the ordinary reader will find it more palatable.

When your aim is to make such atrocities excusable, language which doesn’t evoke any clear mental image (e.g. of burning bodies in Hiroshima) is actually desirable.

Orwell argues that just as thought corrupts language, language can corrupt thought, with these ready-made phrases preventing writers from expressing anything meaningful or original. He believes that we should get rid of any word which has outworn its usefulness and should aim to use ‘the fewest and shortest words that will cover one’s meaning’.

Writers should let the meaning choose the word, rather than vice versa. We should think carefully about what we want to say until we have the right mental pictures to convey that thought in the clearest language.

Orwell concludes ‘Politics and the English Language’ with six rules for the writer to follow:

i) Never use a metaphor, simile or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.

ii) Never use a long word where a short one will do.

iii) If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.

iv) Never use the passive where you can use the active.

v) Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.

vi) Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.

‘Politics and the English Language’: analysis

In some respects, ‘Politics and the English Language’ advances an argument about good prose language which is close to what the modernist poet and thinker T. E. Hulme (1883-1917) argued for poetry in his ‘ A Lecture on Modern Poetry ’ and ‘Notes on Language and Style’ almost forty years earlier.

Although Hulme and Orwell came from opposite ends of the political spectrum, their objections to lazy and worn-out language stem are in many ways the same.

Hulme argued that poetry should be a forge where fresh metaphors are made: images which make us see the world in a slightly new way. But poetic language decays into common prose language before dying a lingering death in journalists’ English. The first time a poet described a hill as being ‘clad [i.e. clothed] with trees’, the reader would probably have mentally pictured such an image, but in time it loses its power to make us see anything.

Hulme calls these worn-out expressions ‘counters’, because they are like discs being moved around on a chessboard: an image which is itself not unlike Orwell’s prefabricated hen-house in ‘Politics and the English Language’.

Of course, Orwell’s focus is English prose rather than poetry, and his objections to sloppy writing are not principally literary (although that is undoubtedly a factor) but, above all, political. And he is keen to emphasise that his criticism of bad language, and suggestions for how to improve political writing, are both, to an extent, hopelessly idealistic: as he observes towards the end of ‘Politics and the English Language’, ‘Look back through this essay, and for certain you will find that I have again and again committed the very faults I am protesting against.’

But what Orwell advises is that the writer be on their guard against such phrases, the better to avoid them where possible. This is why he encourages writers to be more self-questioning (‘What am I trying to say? What words will express it? What image or idiom will make it clearer? Is this image fresh enough to have an effect?’) when writing political prose.

Nevertheless, the link between the standard of language and the kind of politics a particular country, regime, or historical era has is an important one. As Orwell writes: ‘I should expect to find – this is a guess which I have not sufficient knowledge to verify – that the German, Russian and Italian languages have all deteriorated in the last ten or fifteen years, as a result of dictatorship.’

Those writing under a dictatorship cannot write or speak freely, of course, but more importantly, those defending totalitarian rule must bend and abuse language in order to make ugly truths sound more attractive to the general populace, and perhaps to other nations.

In more recent times, the phrase ‘collateral damage’ is one of the more objectionable phrases used about war, hiding the often ugly reality (innocent civilians who are unfortunate victims of violence, but who are somehow viewed as a justifiable price to pay for the greater good).

Although Orwell’s essay has been criticised for being too idealistic, in many ways ‘Politics and the English Language’ remains as relevant now as it was in 1946 when it was first published.

Indeed, to return to Orwell’s opening point about decadence, it is unavoidable that the standard of political discourse has further declined since Orwell’s day. Perhaps it’s time a few more influential writers started heeding his argument?

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9 thoughts on “A Summary and Analysis of George Orwell’s ‘Politics and the English Language’”

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YES! Thank you!

A great and useful post. As a writer, I have been seriously offended by the politicization of the language in the past 50 years. Much of this is supposedly to sanitize, de-genderize, or diversity-fie language – exactly as it’s done in Orwell’s “1984.” How did a wonderfully useful word like gay – cheerful or lively – come to mean homosexual? And is optics not a branch of physics? Ironically, when the liberal but sensible JK Rowling criticized the replacement of “woman” with “person who menstruates” SHE was the one attacked. Now, God help us, we hope “crude” spaceships will get humans to Mars – which, if you research the poor quality control in Tesla cars, might in fact be a proper term.

And less anyone out there misread, this or me – I was a civil rights marcher, taught in a girls’ high school (where I got in minor trouble for suggesting to the students that they should aim higher than the traditional jobs of nurse or teacher), and – while somewhat of a mugwump – consider myself a liberal.

But I will fight to keep the language and the history from being 1984ed.

My desert island book would be the Everyman Essays of Orwell which is around 1200 pages. I’ve read it all the way through twice without fatigue and read individual essays endlessly. His warmth and affability help, Even better than Montaigne in this heretic’s view.

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I’ll go against the flow here and say Orwell was – at least in part – quite wrong here. If I recall correctly, he was wrong about a few things including, I think, the right way to make a cup of tea! In all seriousness, what he fails to acknowledge in this essay is that language is a living thing and belongs to the people, not the theorists, at all time. If a metaphor changes because of homophone mix up or whatever, then so be it. Many of our expressions we have little idea of now – I think of ‘baited breath’ which almost no one, even those who know how it should be spelt, realise should be ‘abated breath’.

Worse than this though, his ‘rules’ have indeed been taken up by many would-be writers to horrifying effect. I recall learning to make up new metaphors and similes rather than use clichés when I first began training ten years ago or more. I saw some ghastly new metaphors over time which swiftly made me realise that there’s a reason we use the same expressions a great deal and that is they are familiar and do the job well. To look at how to use them badly, just try reading Gregory David Roberts ‘Shantaram’. Similarly, the use of active voice has led to unpalatable writing which lacks character. The passive voice may well become longwinded when badly used, but it brings character when used well.

That said, Orwell is rarely completely wrong. Some of his points – essentially, use words you actually understand and don’t be pretentious – are valid. But the idea of the degradation of politics is really quite a bit of nonsense!

Always good to get some critique of Orwell, Ken! And I do wonder how tongue-in-cheek he was when proposing his guidelines – after all, even he admits he’s probably broken several of his own rules in the course of his essay! I think I’m more in the T. E. Hulme camp than the Orwell – poetry can afford to bend language in new ways (indeed, it often should do just this), and create daring new metaphors and ways of viewing the world. But prose, especially political non-fiction, is there to communicate an argument or position, and I agree that ghastly new metaphors would just get in the way. One of the things that is refreshing reading Orwell is how many of the problems he identified are still being discussed today, often as if they are new problems that didn’t exist a few decades ago. Orwell shows that at least one person was already discussing them over half a century ago!

Absolutely true! When you have someone of Orwell’s intelligence and clear thinking, even when you believe him wrong or misguided, he is still relevant and remains so decades later.

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Importance of English Language Essay

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Importance of English Language Essay: The importance of the English language cannot be overstated in today’s globalized world. It serves as a bridge that connects people from different cultures and backgrounds, facilitating communication, fostering understanding, and opening doors to countless opportunities. To help you with your essay writing on the significance of the English language and its impact on our personal and professional lives, we’ve prepared a series of essays in simple words. A strong command of the English language includes a vast vocabulary , essential for effective communication and expressing thoughts with clarity and precision. Whether you need a 150-word overview or a more detailed 500-word essay on the topic “Importance of English Language”, we’ve got you covered.

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The Importance of English Language Essay 1 – 150 words

The English language holds immense importance in our globalized world. It serves as a universal medium of communication, enabling people from diverse linguistic backgrounds to connect and collaborate.

In education, English is the primary language of instruction in many prestigious institutions worldwide. Proficiency in English provides access to a vast reservoir of knowledge and facilitates international academic pursuits.

In the business arena, English is the language of global commerce. Multinational companies require employees who can effectively communicate with international clients and partners, making English proficiency a valuable asset for career growth.

Furthermore, the digital age has further amplified the significance of English, as the internet predominantly operates in this language. It is also the language of technology and innovation.

English fosters cultural exchange by providing access to literature, films, music, and art from diverse cultures. It promotes tolerance and multiculturalism.

In conclusion, the importance of the English language lies in its role as a unifying force in our interconnected world. It opens doors to opportunities, facilitates global understanding, and empowers individuals in various aspects of life.

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The Importance of English Language Essay 2- 250 words

English, often referred to as the “global language,” plays a pivotal role in our lives today. Its importance extends beyond mere communication; it shapes our personal and professional development, broadens our horizons, and enhances our understanding of the world.

In the realm of education, English is the medium through which much of the world’s knowledge is shared. It is the language of textbooks, research papers, and academic discourse. Proficiency in English is essential for students aspiring to access a wide array of educational resources, connect with scholars worldwide, and pursue higher studies abroad.

In the business arena, English is the language of international trade and commerce. Companies seeking a global presence require employees who can communicate effectively in English. Whether it’s negotiating contracts, conducting meetings, or marketing products, English proficiency is a valuable asset that opens doors to a global marketplace.

English is also the language of the internet and digital communication. In an era where information is at our fingertips, knowing English empowers us to access a vast online world of resources, connect with people from diverse backgrounds, and stay updated on global developments.

Furthermore, English is a gateway to cultural enrichment. It provides access to literature, films, music, and art from around the world. It enables us to appreciate the nuances of different cultures, fostering empathy and global awareness.

In essence, the importance of the English language lies in its role as a unifying force in an increasingly interconnected world. It promotes cross-cultural understanding, drives innovation and progress, and enhances opportunities for personal and professional growth. Embracing English is not just a choice; it is a necessity in our globalized society.

The Importance of English Language Essay 3 – 300 words

The Importance of English Language

The English language is incredibly important in our world today. It serves as a universal means of communication, connecting people from different countries and backgrounds. Its significance goes beyond just speaking and writing; it opens doors to countless opportunities.

In the realm of education, English is the primary language of instruction in many universities and institutions worldwide. Students who are proficient in English have access to a vast pool of knowledge and can engage with scholars from around the globe. It’s not just about learning a language; it’s about accessing a world of information.

In the business world, English plays a crucial role. It is the language of international trade and commerce. Many multinational companies conduct their operations in English, and they often require employees to be proficient in the language. This is because English facilitates effective communication with clients, partners, and customers from different parts of the world.

In the digital age, English is the language of the internet. Most online content, from websites to social media, is in English. Being able to understand and use English online is essential for accessing information, connecting with people globally, and participating in the digital community.

Moreover, English is the language of diplomacy and international relations. It’s used in international conferences, negotiations, and agreements. Diplomats and leaders from various countries rely on English to communicate effectively on global issues.

In addition to its practical benefits, English also brings people closer to different cultures. It opens the door to literature, movies, music, and art from around the world. It allows us to appreciate and understand diverse cultures, fostering tolerance and mutual respect.

In conclusion, the importance of the English language cannot be overstated. It is a tool that empowers individuals in education, career, and the global community. It’s not just about speaking a language; it’s about accessing a world of opportunities and understanding the world better.

The Importance of English Language Essay 4 – 400 words

The significance of the English language in the contemporary world cannot be overstated. It has evolved into a global lingua franca, connecting people from diverse linguistic backgrounds and enabling effective communication on a global scale.

One of the foremost reasons for the importance of English is its role in education. English is the dominant language in academia, with a vast majority of research papers, textbooks, and educational materials being written in English. This makes English proficiency crucial for students seeking access to the world’s knowledge repository. It also facilitates international collaboration among scholars and researchers, fostering the exchange of ideas and innovations.

In the realm of business and commerce, English serves as the language of global trade. Many multinational corporations and organizations use English as their primary language for communication and documentation. Proficiency in English is often a prerequisite for employment in such organizations, as it ensures effective communication with international clients and partners.

Moreover, the digital age has further amplified the importance of English. The internet, a global platform for information sharing and communication, predominantly operates in English. Being proficient in English is essential for navigating the online world, accessing digital resources, and participating in online communities. English also plays a vital role in diplomacy and international relations. It is the language used in international conferences, negotiations, and treaties. Diplomats and representatives from different countries rely on English to communicate effectively on matters of global significance.

Additionally, English is a key driver of cultural exchange and understanding. It provides access to literature, films, music, and art from diverse cultures. It enables people to appreciate and embrace the richness of global cultures, promoting tolerance and multiculturalism.

In conclusion, the importance of the English language is multifaceted. It is a tool for accessing knowledge, advancing in the professional world, navigating the digital landscape, and fostering global cooperation. Embracing English is not merely a skill; it is a gateway to an interconnected world filled with opportunities and shared experiences.

The Importance of English Language Essay 5 – 500 words

The global importance of the English language transcends linguistic boundaries and has become a unifying force in our interconnected world. Its influence extends across education, business, technology, diplomacy, and culture, shaping the lives of millions around the globe.

In education, English is the universal language of learning and knowledge dissemination. It serves as the medium of instruction in many prestigious universities and institutions worldwide. English proficiency is essential for students aspiring to access a vast pool of educational resources, engage with international scholars, and pursue higher studies abroad. It not only opens doors to a diverse range of academic opportunities but also fosters cross-cultural learning and collaboration.

The business landscape has been profoundly impacted by the prominence of English. In the era of globalization, English has emerged as the primary language of international commerce and trade. Multinational corporations, global supply chains, and international business transactions rely on English for communication and documentation. As a result, individuals with strong English language skills have a significant advantage in the job market, as many employers seek candidates who can engage effectively with international clients and partners.

The digital revolution has further amplified the significance of English. The internet, a global platform for information sharing and communication, predominantly operates in English. Proficiency in English is essential for navigating the online world, accessing digital resources, and participating in global online communities. English also plays a crucial role in the development of cutting-edge technology, with most programming languages, software, and technical documentation being in English.

In diplomacy and international relations, English serves as the language of communication and negotiation. It is the medium through which countries discuss global issues, forge alliances, and draft international agreements. Diplomats and representatives from diverse linguistic backgrounds rely on English to engage in meaningful dialogues on matters of global significance, promoting peaceful cooperation and understanding.

Beyond its utilitarian value, English plays a pivotal role in fostering cultural exchange and appreciation. It provides access to literature, films, music, and art from diverse cultures. People worldwide can explore and immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of global cultures, broadening their horizons and promoting tolerance and multiculturalism.

In conclusion, the importance of the English language is deeply ingrained in our modern society. It transcends national borders and empowers individuals to participate in a globalized world. Proficiency in English enhances educational and career prospects, facilitates cross-cultural communication, and enriches lives through exposure to diverse perspectives. Embracing the English language is not merely a skill; it is a key that unlocks a world of opportunities and connections in our ever-evolving global landscape.

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FAQs on Importance of English Language Essay

Why is the english language important globally.

The English language is essential globally because it serves as a universal means of communication, facilitating connections between people of different backgrounds and cultures.

How does English impact education and career opportunities?

Proficiency in English enhances educational and career prospects by providing access to a vast pool of knowledge, international job opportunities, and the ability to engage with a global audience.

Why is English important in the digital age?

In the digital age, English is the language of the internet, allowing individuals to access online information, connect globally, and participate in the digital community.

Why is the language English popular?

English is popular worldwide because of its widespread use in business, education, technology, and international communication. It serves as a common language for people from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

Why is learning English important?

Learning English is important as it enhances access to knowledge, career opportunities, and global communication. It empowers individuals to connect with the world and participate in an interconnected society.

Is English the official language of India?

No, English is not the official language of India, but it holds a special status as an associate official language. India recognizes multiple languages, with Hindi being the official language at the national level, while English remains widely used for official and administrative purposes, especially at the central government level.

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What is an English Language essay?

February 1, 2018

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Go ahead and tilt your mobile the right way (portrait). the kool kids don't use landscape....

From year 7-10 the traditional essays we have written have had an introduction, three body paragraphs and a conclusion. In these essays we write about characters, plot points and themes. Hence, it is understandable that upon entering English Language in year 11 or 12, it can be difficult to grasp a hold on how to write an essay without characters, plots or themes. To be precise, the requirement in an English Language essay is to ‘use key linguistic concepts and metalanguage appropriately to discuss/analyse/investigate…in an objective and systematic way” (English Language Study Design) .

What does this mean?

Essentially, in section C of the exam, you are required to present a discussion of a given idea. The word ‘discussion’ is defined as ‘a conversation or debate about a specific topic.’ In this sense, your essay is effectively a written conversation which needs to display an understanding of both sides of the topic.

In saying that, it is still important to form a contention, such as ‘indeed non-standard varieties are more acceptable in speaking than in writing in the Australian context’ however in arguing this contention, you must to explore both sides to show the examiner your understanding of language in Australian society.

The overarching idea of the essay is presented to you in the form of a prompt. For example, in the 2016 VCAA exam, a possible essay prompt given was: “In Australia today, variations from the standard tends to be more acceptable in speaking than in writing.”

In this prompt, the idea to be discussed is standard vs. non-standard Australian English. The main idea or topic forms an umbrella under which the essay is formed. This is the foundation of your essay. Each main argument will relate to this topic. In this example, standard vs non-standard Australian English is a topic from which an array of sub-topics can be extracted, the choice of which is to your discretion.

The sub-topics you choose to delve into will depend on your preferences and strengths. You may choose to discuss online-speak, ethnolects or Australian slang in relation to non-standard English, or legal and political jargon in relation to standard English.

Regardless of the choice of sub-topic, each body paragraph must explicitly link to three things; the prompt, the topic sentence and the contention. This is the criteria for your discussion. Ensuring clear links to these three will assure the examiner that you have confidence in the material you are discussing.

Your body paragraphs should be used to show the examiner how the ideas you have chosen to talk about relate to the prompt provided. Here it is necessary to use a combination of contemporary media examples, personal examples and linguist quotes as a means to prove the link between your chosen paragraph idea, your contention and the prompt. Try to find the most relevant examples which clearly demonstrate your line of thinking to the examiner. You don’t want to give them a reason to question the arguments you choose to present.

It is also important to be wary of this so that your essay flows in an orderly, sequential manner. Each idea presented within a paragraph and across the essay itself should follow a pathway, one leading into another. Use the ending of each body paragraph to come back to your essay prompt and reiterate your contention. This ensures you stay on topic and the examiner can clearly visualize your understanding of your topic.

In the end, your job in your essay is to present a discussion of a given prompt; an understanding of both sides. Use examples and explanations to show your examiner that you comprehend how the prompt can be debated.

Helpful Hints:

  • Writing the very first sentence of your essay can be difficult. Sometimes, to get yourself into the flow of writing, it can be helpful to integrate a linguistic quote into your first sentence. This also helps solidify your contention. For example:
  • “One’s idiolect, particularly lexical choices and accent can be strongly indicative of their unique identity and the social groups to which they belong; it is the most natural badge of symbol of public and private identity (David Crystal)”
  • Your topic sentence for each paragraph should contain a link to the essay prompt, to the topic of your paragraph and to your contention. A link to all three elements should be identifiable. Below is an example of a topic sentence for the given essay prompt. “The language we use is the best indicator of who we are, individually, socially and culturally. Discuss.”
  • Ethnolects are a quintessential indicator of cultural identity as they are strongly identifiable by their unique phonological characteristics.
  • This topic sentence shows a clear identification of the topic of the paragraph (ethnolects), a connection with the prompt, (cultural belonging) and a contention, (ethnolects are indeed indicative of cultural identity)
  • Rather than introducing linguist quotes with expressions such as “in the words of…” or “as said by…” using linguist quotes discretely where they are integrated as part of the sentence will improve the flow of your essay. Consider this example.
  • “The use of the interjectory ‘reh’ expresses the cultural identity individuals associate themselves with and is part of the language they use as ‘a means to an end of understanding who [they] are and what society is like (David Crystal).”
  • Not all your contemporary essay examples need to come from news articles or social media. Students can often get caught up doing aimless research trying to find examples through research which really isn’t all that necessary. You should try to find examples of language use in every-day life. Perhaps consider other school subjects you study and the jargon you used within these subjects. You can quite easily discuss this use of language in your essays. Here is an example of a student using the metalanguage from VCE Accounting as an example for their essay.
  • Jargon and taboo language are often used to express social identity as they are demonstrative of social groups one wishes to belong to. Jargon terms such as, ‘equity,’ ‘profit margin’, ‘cash flow statement,’ ‘debt ratio’ and ‘accrued’ belong to the financial and accounting semantic field. Their use suggests the individual is knowledgeable in business and finance and further suggests they are likely to be working in the business sector. The use of jargon in one’s vernacular can therefore provide hints of the individual’s social identity and is significant to their individual identity.

Link to David Crystal interviews to pick out quotes and ideas for your essays:

Link to Kate Burridge on TED Talk talking about Euphemisms; a good source for examples of euphemisms and how they are used in society. This can be used as foundation for a paragraph in your essays:

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[Video Transcription]

Sometimes when using language we may want to, or need to discuss a topic that is uncomfortable to deal with directly. For these cases we often employ the technique of euphemism to make the bad things sound better. As Quentin Crisp put it, "Euphemisms are unpleasant truths wearing diplomatic cologne".

Semantic Fields and Situational Contexts

Euphemism is found in a wide range of semantic fields and situational contexts, but a few where they appear often include:

  • In the domain of politics and political correctness
  • In public-facing language, such as press conferences and interviews
  • In discussions around uncomfortable topics such as death, termination of employment, and sex
  • In the corporate world

So this begs the question of why people sometimes choose to employ euphemism, and what social effects it has on relationships and also society as a whole?

The Purpose of Euphemism

There are two sides to the euphemism coin, which are important to keep in mind when discussing and observing the use of euphemism. On the one hand, it can allow us to talk about uncomfortable topics more easily and without losing face, but on the other it can mask the truth or even be used to actively confuse others.

Many would argue that the primary purpose of euphemism is to maintain positive face, and it can often be very effective in doing so. Let’s consider the example of an employer navigating the social taboo topic of dismissing one of their employees. No matter how they go about broaching this topic, some of the face needs of the employee will not be met. According to a variety of online human resources sites, some of the euphemisms that employers or hiring managers are encouraged to use, include:

  • "Exit strategy”
  • “Career change opportunity”
  • “Freeing for availability to the industry”
  • “Making a team move”

These terms are widely favoured over the bluntness of something like “you’re fired”. By using such euphemisms, employers seek to put the focus onto the minor upsides of being laid off, rather than directly dealing with what will often feel like a personal attack for the employee. In this way, they try to, although not necessarily effectively, meet the face needs of both their employee and themselves in navigating this socially taboo topic.

The euphemisms that we use can also reflect and reveal our shifting social mores as the euphemisms that we use change over time. For example, if we consider the words we use surrounding the semantic domain of animal slaughter, we are seeing more and more euphemisms being employed today, as the topic becomes taboo and unpalatable. Instead of “killing” animals, today people are describing animals as being “depopulated” or “harvested”. We can even see this shift in how we describe the deaths of household pets, who are “put down”, rather than “euthanised”. Such euphemisms reflect our society’s shifting values and attitudes, namely that we now value animal life far more than we have in the past. We now wish to avoid the negative connotation surrounding the traditional lexemes of this semantic field, in order to maintain social harmony and positive face.

However, euphemism is also often used to hide or conceal the truth, and can mislead both those who hear it, and even those who use it. Clear communication is sometimes sacrificed for the sake of maintaining one’s positive face. When euphemism is used to obfuscate the truth, it is often classed as “doublespeak”, a term stemming from the neologisms “doublethink” and “newspeak” in Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty Four . For example, local councils may describe a “pot-hole” as a “pavement deficiency” to save face in being unwilling or unable to repair roads. This term is deliberately ambiguous as to the nature of the specific damage, and has been chosen over the far clearer and more familiar term “pot-hole” in an effort to obscure the truth. According to linguist Kate Burridge, euphemisms such as these “tell us how it isn’t”.

Even something as commonplace as life-insurance policies are in reality euphemistic terms for something that really insures one’s death. But insurance agencies and carriers don’t want their product being associated with the social taboo of death, and instead they choose to use the more positively-connoted term “life” to create positive brand recognition. All sorts of euphemisms surround us constantly, and we are often so used to them being used, that we don’t even notice.

Linguist Stephen Pinker describes a “euphemism treadmill”, which is a good metaphor for the way that the connotations of euphemisms can often change over time, as they are used and over-used. The classic example of this process is in the terms used by Nazi officials in the late 1930s and '40s to describe the Holocaust. Initially, the term “Sonderbehandlung” or “special treatment” was used to refer to the summary execution of so-called “unfavourable people”. However, this term quickly became as negatively connoted as the term it was designed to replace among the German people, and so the phrase “die Endlösung der Judenfrage”, “the final solution to the Jewish Question” was formulated - a phrase which again became infamously associated with the atrocities of the Holocaust during the Nuremburg trials. In fact, we’ve observed the overwhelmingly negative connotation of this former euphemism recently in Australia, with Fraser Anning being met with widespread criticism after using this term in the senate. In this example, we can see how over time euphemisms can lose their ameliorating effect as they become more associated with that which they are trying to mask.

Whether you believe that euphemisms are a valuable and useful part of our language, or that they are ambiguous and misleading, their prevalence in our contemporary Australian society make them an important part of a discussion of the evolving semantics of Australian English and of language as a whole.

Language has many uses which go beyond simple communication. Language can be used to entertain, to convey abstract ideas and to mold one’s perspective. A strong understanding of linguistic features, of words and their connotations can allow one to manipulate their language in order to convey certain ideas and thoughts. This brings us to the topic of face needs. One’s face need is the sense of social value that is experienced during social interactions. There are two types of face needs; positive face needs and negative face needs. Positive face refers to the need to feel accepted and liked by others while negative face describes the will to do what one wants to do with freedom and independence.

In daily conversations and in media, language is used to either appeal to face needs or to avoid meeting face needs. Basic politeness markers are frequently used to appeal to face needs, often subconsciously. Imagine a teacher asks you to pass them the pencil they just dropped. Most likely, they will ask something along the lines of, “are you able to pass me that pencil please?” The teacher’s relationship with you is that of an authoritative nature. Therefore, when asked to pick up the pen, you will almost certainly oblige unless there is a compelling reason not to. While the teacher has technically posed a request or a question, it is a in fact a command in disguise. The teacher has an expectation that you will pick up the pen, however, by framing this command as a question, it appears as though you are being given a choice. This appeals to your negative face needs as you are not being imposed upon to pick up the pen, but are given a choice should you wish to “pick it up”. In situations where interlocutors do not have a very close social distance, linguistic features such are politeness markers, rising intonation and interrogative sentences are used to appeal to negative face needs. If this same situation occurred with a friend, they might say something along the lines of ‘oi, chuck us that pen.’ This is a blatant disregard for negative face needs, but due to the close social distance between you and your close friend, appealing to negative face needs for such small things is unnecessary.

Appealing to negative face is most commonly observed in interactions with strangers or with those who do not have a strongly established relationship. However, appeals to negative face needs can also be observed with close individuals, particularly used to further the relationship by extending its boundary. For example, when asking a big favour from a relatively new friend one will most likely use methods to appeal to negative face needs, using phrases such as, ‘do you mind if,’ ‘would it be possible if,’ ‘could I please ask you a huge favour’. Such phrases do not impose of the individual, allowing them to “choose” whether or not to oblige. Appealing to the negative face demonstrates that one recognizes the other’s freedom and wish to do as they wish. 

Appealing to positive face needs occurs through slightly different linguistic and paralinguistic techniques. Compliments, minimal response, eye contact, politeness markers and the use of interrogatives are all ways in which one can appeal to another’s positive face needs. These techniques are very often employed in radio and television interviews. It is the duty of the host to make their guest feel welcome and wanted on the show. Television hosts such as Jimmy Kimmel and Ellen often introduce their celebrity guests by mentioning their achievements, thus making them feel special. They frequently employ interrogatives to display avid interest in their guests. Furthermore, back-channeling and vocal effects such as laughter allow the guests to feel that their presence is welcome and appreciated. Think of this from the perspective host and their social purpose. They want to make their guests feel appreciated to promote their viewership and build solidarity with the guests so they may return on the show.

This is interview is an example of positive face needs where interviewer Rajeev Masand compliments Stanger Things actors Milly Bobby Brown and Noah Schnapp at the beginning of the interview for their show.

Tom Holland on Ellen:

In this example both Tom Holland and Ellen meet one another’s positive face needs. Politically correct language and euphemisms are also another example of appeals to positive face needs. Calling people ‘differently abled’ is done in attempt to avoid discrimination and allow individuals of different abilities to feel equally accepted and welcome. However, this does not always come across as intended. Often politically correct labels are not embraced by the given community as they feel that such labels further alienate them from society. Politically correct labels can act as reminders to such groups that they are considered minority or, they may feel that these labels are a feeble attempt to push aside previous, conflicting history. This is important to note as it demonstrates that appealing to face needs can sometimes be a hit or miss. In everyday conversation, people use cues in attempt to understand the individual they are conversing with and hence alter their language accordingly. They will use these cues to understand how to use language to appeal to the face needs of the other individual. In a context with school friends, there is likely to be less use of politeness markers and politically correct language as the pre-established relationship means there is a mutual understanding the one does not wish to offend. In contrast, the use of language is likely to be very different in transactional conversations, interviews and conversations with an authoritative relationship.

Techniques used to appeal to face needs always come back to the social purpose of the interlocutors and the contextual factors. By understanding the link between these elements, you can form a holistic analysis of face needs. Therefore, when writing about face needs in your exam and sacs, it is vital to be considerate of the context as this impacts how face needs are approached. 

Here are some other examples of celebrity interviews where there is evidence of appeals to positive face needs. Watch them carefully and you’ll notice the specific linguistic features used in these interviews to build solidarity with the guests and create engagement with the show. The hosts compliment their guests and frequently employ minimal response to allow the conversation to progress smoothly. There are minimal overlaps as the hosts are cautious not to talk over their guests. You will notice that in certain interviews, when the host and guest are known to one another, appeals to face needs are not adhered, allowing them to strengthen their bond and further audience engagement.

Malala Yousafzai on Ellen:

Eddie Redmayne interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert:

Over the years I have seen many exceptional essays. What has really surprised me in the past is when I compare high-scoring essays. In one instance, I read one English student's essay (raw study score of 50) after another student's (raw study score of 46). What do you think contrasts between a student who achieves 50 and a student who achieves 46 (bearing in mind of course, that these two scores are already amazing!)? For me, I had assumed that a major contributor to the perfect score of 50 must be better vocabulary. You would think so too right?

NO! In fact, the student of 46 had embedded heaps of complex and amazing-sounding words in her essay - much more than those used by the student who obtained a 50. Oddly, the perfect scorer had  hardly any  complex vocabulary in her piece. But this  ironically , was the strength of her essay. Because she wasted little time on trying to throw in lots of fancy vocabulary, she was able to focus on exploring  complex ideas  in her essay instead. This is what examiners are after. So if you're struggling with vocabulary, don't worry - not all hope is lost!

One of the biggest struggles is to 'improve vocabulary' in VCE. So many students are caught up trying to improve their vocabulary or using 'big words' that they don't realise the worst thing yet:  using bigger words can actually hurt your essay . Yes, you read it right. Even research has actually found that using complex or big words in an essay can backfire for the student!

Reasons why using big words can worsen your essay:

1. Obstructs clarity of ideas.

Readability is the ease with which a written text can be understood by the reader. In other words, how easy it is to read an essay and how enjoyable that read is. I'm sure you've read a novel in the past that was quite difficult to read because of its extensive vocabulary. On the other hand, you will find a book much more enjoyable to read when you're not struggling your whole way through deciphering words. The same applies to essays. Examiners focus heavily on your exploration and interpretation of ideas. If you have great ideas, only to overload with vocabulary just look to make yourself look smarter, it's only going to make it harder for your examiner. Just like if you had simplistic ideas and filled your essay with fancy vocabulary, it's not going to make the idea seem any more insightful. See the example below:

Student 1: 'In a plethora of elements gender inequalities prevail over the women of Nigeria.'

Student 2:  'Gender inequalities prevail over women's lives in Nigeria.'

The 'plethora of elements' is just another way of saying 'several aspects'. By trying to use nice vocabulary, this student actually reduced the meaning of their sentence, making it harder for the teacher to understand the student's idea. Remember to keep your essays straightforward, don't drown them with vocabulary that's unnecessary.

2. You seem dumber.

No offence. Writing with bigger words doesn't mean you're smarter. It is very easy to pick up when a student is simply using a thesaurus to find synonyms - because your sentence will look like this: basic basic basic COMPLEX basic basic COMPLEX basic basic. There is a clear discrepancy! Don't use 'utilise' when you can just write 'use'. You seem pompous (no offence, again!). Write clearly and simply if you can, and you’ll be more likely to be thought of as intelligent! This meme below sums up the point very well:

value of english language essay

3. You're using it wrong.

Using a similar word is not always the RIGHT word. Let's take the word 'persuade' as an example. We're always trying to find new synonyms for 'persuade' in Language Analysis (and I do have a list for you here). The word 'entice' is by no means similar to the word 'coerce' because of the different connotations they are both associated to. To entice is to persuade through attraction or tempting the reader by offering an advantage, whereas to coerce is to persuade (an unwilling person) to do something by using force or threats. Be wise when you choose synonyms, because they do not carry the exact same meaning as the original word you intended to use!

KEY TIP: Do not use big words, do not use small words, use the RIGHT words.

So, how do you find the right word bank for you.

The conditions of your vocabulary bank should be suited to your specific needs. A focus on a need or theme enables more visible connections within the vocabulary bank. Having those connections will make it easier to 'memorise' new terms. Instead of compiling a dense 20-page glossary, try breaking your vocabulary bank up into smaller, specific sections like 'new verbs'.

Now, let's find new verbs instead of the typical bolded words below to express the author's intention:

  • The author  argues
  • The author  shows  
  • The author  criticises
  • The author  supports

- Branch off 'argue' (Fervent tone): contends, asserts, posits, proffers…

- Branch off 'shows' (Neutral tone): demonstrates, exposes, elucidates, delineates, explicates…

- Branch off 'criticises' (Negative tone): condemns, denigrates, lampoons, parodies…

- Branch off 'supports' (Positive tone): praises, endorses, exalts, lauds…

Next, take your new vocabulary from storage to use:

After clarifying their definitions, try using some of your new words in a sentence or a paragraph, relating to either your texts or analysing argument. You can also extend your vocabulary bank by adapting the words to different sentence structures:

Original sentence: The author  criticises  the superficiality of our consumerist culture.

Substitution: Theauthor  condemns  the superficiality of our consumerist culture.

Adaptation:  In a  condemnatory  tone, the author  delineates  the ostentation of our consumerist culture.

Original sentence: The author  argues  that gender is an arbitrary concept.

Substitution:  The author  asserts  that gender is an arbitrary concept.

Adaptation:  Asserting  that gender is an arbitrary concept, the author  explicates  the categorist nature of human understanding.

Using convoluted expressions can be fun or exasperating! Whilst demonstrating extensive vocabulary may raise your mark, the key is to ensure harmony between your words and your understanding.

Remember: Do not use big words, do not use small words, use the RIGHT words.

The second half of this blog post was written by Joyce Ling.

This month’s blog post will be short but it contains one extremely valuable point you should take away – especially if you’ll be writing imaginary pieces in the next few months. Creative essays are great because they offer interesting and unique stories; however, there is one common downfall that occurs in writing. Some students create pieces that are  too  straightforward. Rather than using vocabulary, imagery and symbolism to express a point, they simply write down a statement that sums up what they wish to say. Your aim is to invite the reader to  experience  the story through your words. This can be done through the character’s thoughts, feelings, actions etc. Thus the well-known phrase among writers, ‘ Show, don’t tell’ . Keeping this idea in mind turn you into a much more successful writer – and you’ll see the difference!

Tell: Katie was very happy.

Show: Katie’s face lifted. Little wrinkles appeared around her bright eyes, her dimples made an appearance that dug into her cheeks as a big grin emerged to show her perfect teeth.

Tell: She felt horrible for the weeping children.

Show: Guilt throbbed inside her as she stared at the weeping children. Her heart pounded against her chest, her hands trembling beside her still body, her brain screaming at her to do  something .

Tell: I was scared.

Show: I hear my breathing; heavy, and rapid. I shut my eyes tightly. I can feel goosebumps running up my arms and down my back.

To test whether or not you are ‘telling’ instead of ‘showing’, think about whether or not your sentence leaves room for questions. In Example 1, ‘Katie was very happy’ would leave the reader thinking – what thought or action showed that she was happy? Whereas ‘show’ demonstrated that she was happy without directly stating it.

The key is to go into the finer details of your story!

Writing an Analysing Argument (or Language Analysis) essay can be difficult, and sometimes selecting language that won’t sound repetitive is the tricky part. If you’re looking for ways to overcome that hurdle and make your writing sound more formal, then this is the blog for you. 

In these tables are simple sentence starters you can use to formalise and clarify your ideas in a non-repetitive way. This blog takes into account the most important elements of a Language Analysis, such as analysing visuals and connecting a technique back to the author’s intention (that is, what they want the audience to think/feel/do). 

Within these tables, I’ve included a sentence example for each phrase. The examples are in response to a fictional article by Samantha Pearson, What’s wrong with using online lingo in everyday life?. The article is about Gen Z's use of online lingo and argues that the concern surrounding its potential implications is unfounded. If you’d like to see the entire original article and an A+ essay written in response (along with a number of other sample articles and high-scoring essays), you’ll find all of this and more in How To Write A Killer Language Analysis .

value of english language essay

If you’d like to see a detailed guide on Language Analysis, including what you're expected to cover, how to prepare for your SAC and Exam and more, check out our Ultimate Guide to VCE Language Analysis .

Understanding the Syntax Subsystem for English Language

One of the most common areas of difficulty and confusion in English Language is the syntax subsystem , so you are not alone if you find this difficult. You will already have an intuitive understanding of how syntax in English works (you speak the language after all), but being able to effectively analyse and parse sentences and utterances can be tricky. It is important that you understand what the following word classes (aka parts of speech ) are, and what their role is in a sentence, you may need to revise them from Unit 1/2.

  • Preposition
  • Conjunction
  • Interjection

There are innumerable online and physical resources, such as Sara Thorne’s fantastic Mastering Advanced English Language , which you can look at to revise these word classes. These are the fundamental building blocks that we have at our disposal when building up a sentence and are vital for understanding syntax. Syntax is how we arrange these building blocks into phrases , which we combine to form clauses , which in turn create sentences .

What Is a Phrase?

Phrases are words or groups of words that function together in a clause . Often we class phrases in terms of what role they are playing: we might have a noun phrase, a verb phrase, or an adverbial phrase, for example. Look at the example below to get a feel for what is meant by a phrase.

Authorised Officers are here to help keep your public transport running smoothly and make sure everyone is paying their way.

The main phrases are:

  • 'Authorised Officers', 'your public transport', 'everyone', 'their way' (noun phrases)
  • 'are', 'to help keep…running', 'make sure', 'is paying' (verb phrases)
  • 'here’, 'smoothly' (adverbial phrases)
  • ’and’ (coordination conjunction)

What Is a Clause?

Clauses can be entire sentences or be one of several parts of a sentence. At a minimum, standard clauses must contain a subject and a verb , but usually have other components too. To help us understand what makes up a clause, it is important to re-familiarise yourself with the five clause elements :

Clauses must contain a verb, or else we class them as fragments . The following is a clause:

They watched the sunset together.

But this is a fragment :

What a sunset!

Note that the clause above contains a subject (They) , verb (watched) , object (the sunset) and adverbial (together), whereas it is not entirely clear how to classify the elements of the fragment, because there is no verb telling us how the words relate to each other.

There are two types of clauses we need to be concerned about: independent (main) clauses and dependent (subordinate) clauses. An independent clause can stand by itself as a simple sentence, whereas a dependent clause sits inside another clause and usually adds extra or supporting information.

Sentence Structures

Now for one of the key skills that is assessed in short answer questions and analytical commentaries : understanding how we combine clauses to create different structures.

Simple Sentences & Utterances

The first sentence structure is the simple sentence , which contains only one clause . Often these are seen as “short” sentences, but this is not always the case. For instance below is an example of a simple sentence:

All the school children, their families and their teachers were at the carnival for a day of fun and competition.

Compound Sentences & Utterances

Compound sentences consist of at least two independent clauses (ones that have a subject, a verb and form a complete idea on their own), joined by a comma, semicolon or a coordinating conjunction . Take for example the following compound sentence comprised of three clauses:

She swam and she surfed, but her thoughts inevitably returned to the dangers of the sea.

Complex Sentences & Utterances

Complex sentences, on the other hand, contain one independent or “main” clause, as well as one or several subordinate clauses . To identify a subordinate clause, you need to think about whether the clause you have identified stands as a complete thought, or whether it relies on the rest of the sentence to make sense. An example is included below, where only the main clause is bolded.

Now, if you turn to your right, you’ll see the gallery , which was constructed in 1968.

Compound-Complex Sentences & Utterances

Compound-complex sentences, exactly as one would expect, are a combination of several independent and subordinate clauses , to form what is most often quite a long sentence . If you know how to identify compound and complex sentences, this one should not pose much difficulty. Here is an example, where only the dependent clause is bolded.

Now it wouldn’t matter how fast he ran, he would never make it there in time, nor would he have anyone to blame but himself.
Give me a ring if you’re coming , or tell Max on his way home from work.

Sentence Fragments (Minor Sentences)

It may occur to you that not every sentence or bit of language that you ever come across fits neatly into one of the above categories, especially if there is not any identifiable independent clause. These we class as sentence fragments , and they are often found in informal spontaneous discourses .

Too easy mate, good on ya, etc.

Like any skill in English Language, getting good at syntax takes practice. To build your confidence, try parsing any of the texts you come across in school, or even texts you see in a magazine or newspaper. Check with a teacher, friend or tutor to see if you got it right, and where you might still need a little bit of work. And, come back to this blog post anytime you need a refresher!

Be sure to read our Ultimate Guide to English Language for an overview of the study design, what’s involved in the exam, how to study for the subject and more!

Have a read of our Ultimate Guide to English Language if you haven't already done so!

[Modified Video Transcription]

Prescriptivism Versus Descriptivism - GIF or JIF?

Ever since the inception of the format, we have been arguing with each other over whether we should say 'gif' or 'jif'. This debate has raged both online and offline, but does it really matter? On one side, supporters of 'gif' claim that because the acronym stands for Graphics Interchange Format , the G sound in 'graphics' should be maintained. Whereas the 'jif' camp argues that because the inventor of the format, Steve Wilhite, says 'jif', so should we all. However, a far more sane argument is that as long as what someone says (whether it be 'gif' or 'jif') is understood, it shouldn't matter how they say it. 

As students of English language, we should aim to primarily take this descriptive approach to studying language. We identify and describe what people are saying or writing, and the effects this has, but we don't then ascribe our own judgement. Language exists to be a vessel for our communication, and so, as long as it is transferring meaning between its users, it's serving its purpose. There is no correct way of speaking or writing because there isn't really a good way of determining what this correct way is. 

What Are Prescriptivism and Descriptivism? 

Simply put, prescriptivism is an attitude that prescribes how language should be and how you, as its speaker, must use it. A prescriptivist most often promotes Standard English or a similar variety. This is the variety of English you will find in most textbooks, government letters and notices and in your English classroom. 

Descriptivism on the other hand, is a non-judgemental approach to looking at language. As descriptivists, we place more importance on how English is actually being written and spoken rather than trying to identify a correct way. The vast majority of linguists, dictionaries and other English language authorities consider themselves to be descriptive and not prescriptive, and this is a really important distinction. 

If the way that we as English speakers use or spell a word changes, the dictionary will change too, in order to reflect this. The Macquarie Dictionary made one such change in 2012, which entered the public spotlight. The word 'misogyny' has been used for many years to mean 'an entrenched prejudice against women' and not necessarily 'a hatred of women', as it says in the dictionary. So, when Julia Gillard used the word in her speech on the topic, it seemed to conflict with what it said in the dictionary. Yet, we all knew what she meant. And so, The Macquarie Dictionary updated its entry for the word to better reflect how we actually are using it. That's all well and good in the academic world, but why is this distinction important outside of a video about language? 

Language Prejudice

Throughout history, and still to this day, prejudice exists against people who speak differently.

For example, for much of the 20th century, and to some extent still to this day, Aboriginal Englishes have been deemed substandard and inferior to varieties used by people with European heritage. This has led to demonstrable discrimination in places like courts and hospitals, but often the time and care is not taken to actually interpret what Aboriginal people mean when they speak. By seeing that prescribing how a language ‘should’ be doesn't actually do anything to improve its effect or usefulness, we can be far more accepting of the fact that language varies depending on who is speaking and that it changes with time. 

We have the option of either allowing the people to define how a language is used or allowing a linguistic academy like the Council for German Orthography in Germany, or the French Academy in France, to prescribe how we should speak.

Language Shift

So, where can we find relevant examples in today's society? We're seeing a shift to prescriptive attitudes in the realm of teen-speak and text-speak, with people like David Crystal saying that creating new words and new ways of speaking is a rite of passage for young people. In the rapidly evolving fields of technology, social media or even politics these days, we are seeing new words and phrases and even entire new ways of constructing sentences being coined every day. But, not everyone is accepting of this and plenty of people still cringe when they hear a hashtag used in regular speech. We're also experiencing a shift to the normalization of informal language, Australian slang and hypocorisms, even in social and situational contexts where traditionally we would use a more formal register. Just how many times have we heard the likes of Scott Morrison and Malcolm Turnbull used the phrase ‘fair dinkum’?

But when does this matter in English language? We should be careful not to say that certain ways of speaking or certain varieties of language are inherently wrong and instead, describe what makes them 'non-standard uses' of language. This description is far more interesting than a subjective judgment of a particular way of using English. 

Descriptivism and Prescriptivism as Metalinguistic Tools

The terms descriptivism and prescriptivism can also be good metalinguistic tools when we are analysing opinions about language. Look out for segments on the radio, television or even the opinion columns of newspapers for discussions about varieties of English. People can identify very strongly with certain varieties of language, so a prescriptive attitude can often also indicate other beliefs. This can be important when identifying the social and cultural context of a text . We can also employ this knowledge in our own writing and speaking. Instead of trying to use correct language, we can instead focus on using appropriate language. This doesn't mean that you can start spelling words however you want, and giving your essays a generous sprinkling of commas and apostrophes where they don't belong (because these will often get in the way of you being easily and clearly understood), but the next time you're writing and you see a red line under that word that you're a hundred percent sure is correct, you can be safe in knowing that it's probably the dictionary, and not you, that needs an update.

  • What Is English Language?
  • VCE English Language Study Design
  • What's Involved in the Exam?
  • How To Study for English Language
  • Metalanguage List
  • Sample Essay
  • Year 12 Essay Topic Categories

1. What Is English Language?

Study design stuff.

English Language is 1 of the 4 different English subjects that are offered as part of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE). In this subject, you’ll explore how individuals and groups of various identities use different varieties of English, and how this ties in with reflecting their values and beliefs. English Language will provide you with a substantial understanding of the impact language has on societies, what it communicates about ourselves and the groups that we identify with, and how societies in turn can also influence language.

If you’re feeling uncertain about what exactly this subject entails, don’t worry! Let’s go through what’s involved in each unit, and what you’re expected to do in each.

2. VCE English Language Study Design 

Note: The study design contains a metalanguage list for Units 1 & 2 and for Units 3 & 4. They’re pretty similar, except the Units 3 & 4 list includes several new features, such as the addition of patterning (phonological, syntactic, and semantic), as well as a significant addition to the discourse subsystem (coherence, cohesion, features of spoken discourse, and strategies of spoken discourse). ‍

Area of Study (AoS1) 

AoS1 is called ‘the nature and function of language’. You’ll learn about the functions of different types of texts, the differences between spoken and written texts, how situational and contextual factors can influence texts, and most importantly, you’ll learn about metalanguage as per the Units 1 & 2 metalanguage list. 

Area of Study (AoS2) 

AoS2 is called ‘language acquisition.’ Here, you’ll learn about theories various linguistics and sociologists have proposed regarding how children acquire languages. Furthermore, you’ll also cover how second languages are acquired. One of the most important skills you’ll pick up in this AoS is how to apply metalanguage in discussions and essays.

English Across Time’, will provide you with a historical context for how we have achieved the form of English that we use today. You’ll learn about the processes which led to the development of Modern English from Old English, the changes this had on all the subsystems ( learn about the syntax subsystem here ), and the various attitudes that are held towards linguistic change.

‘Englishes in contact’, you will learn about the processes which have led to the global spread of English, the intersections between culture and language, and the distinctive features of pidgins, creoles and English as a lingua franca. 

‘Informal language’, will give you an understanding of the roles of informal language in the contemporary Australian context. You’ll learn about what makes texts informal, how this differs for spoken and written texts, and what social purposes can be achieved through informal language - such as maintaining or threatening face needs, building intimacy or solidarity, creating an in-group, or supporting linguistic innovation. 

‘Formal language,’ will provide you with a detailed insight of what makes texts formal, distinguishing features for spoken and written texts, and what social purposes can be achieved through formal language - such as reinforcing authority, establishing expertise, clarifying, obfuscating, or maintaining and challenging positive and negative face needs. 

In both of these AoS, you’ll be applying the Units 3 & 4 Metalanguage in your short answer responses and analytical commentaries. The additional metalanguage is typically taught in Term 1 of year 12, while you learn the content for Unit 3.

‘Language variation in Australian society,’ is a detailed study on how both standard and non-standard Australian English are used within contemporary society. You’ll learn about how identity is constructed through language, how varieties of English vary by culture (such as ethnolects or Australian Aboriginal English), and the attitudes that are held towards different varieties by different groups. 

In ‘Individual and group identities’, you’ll look at how language varies by different factors, such as age, gender, occupation, interests, aspirations, or education, and how these factors all contribute to our identities. You’ll learn more about in-groups and out-groups, and how they can be created and maintained through language. Furthermore, you’ll learn about the relationship between social attitudes with language, and how language can be shaped by, but also influence, social attitudes and community expectations. 

For more information, have a look at the study design . 

3. What's Involved in the Exam?

The Year 12 Exam involves 2 hours of writing time and 15 minutes of reading time. It has three sections:

  • Section A: 15 marks (It is recommended that you spend approximately 20-25 mins in this section)
  • Section B: 30 marks (It is recommended that you spend approximately 40-45 mins, and write 600-700 words)
  • Section C: 30 marks (It is recommended that you spend approximately 45-50 mins, and write 700-800 words)

Make sure you have a read through of the assessment criteria for each section.

Section A is 15 marks of short answer questions. You are given a text, and you’re required to respond to questions about the stylistic and discourse features used in the text, while ensuring that you’re demonstrating a detailed knowledge of metalanguage through carefully selecting relevant examples from the text. 

A strong understanding of the metalanguage is really important, both in terms of knowing the meanings of each metalinguistic term, and also in knowing which category each term fits under (For example, knowing that inference is part of coherence and not cohesion). Therefore, it is important that you learn your metalanguage in terms of what each terminology means, and also in terms of which category each term fits into.

As a general guide:

  • 1 mark – one idea or one example or one explanation
  • 2 marks – one idea plus one or two examples with explanations
  • 3 marks – two ideas plus one or two examples of each with explanations
  • 4 marks – two or three ideas plus one or two examples of each with explanations
  • 5 marks – three ideas plus one or two examples of each with explanations

One of the biggest mistakes students make here is not reading the questions properly. Students sometimes miss how many examples the questions specifies to identify (this information is often given as ‘identify 2 examples’ or ‘identify the purposes’ as plural), forget to check how many marks a question is, or mix up certain metalanguage terms, such as confusing sentence types with sentence structures. So, be very careful in answering these questions.

Here are some examples of short answer questions that have come up in past VCAA exams:

[Question 2, 2017 VCAA] - Identify and comment on the use of two different prosodic features. (4 marks).

‍ Here, you would identify 2 different prosodic features (pitch, stress, volume, intonation, or tempo), and discuss what effect they have on the text, taking contextual factors into consideration. For example, stress could be used to draw emphasis, or intonation could influence the emotion conveyed. 

[Question 1, 2015 VCAA] - What sentence types are used in lines 15 to 36? How do they reinforce the purposes of this text? (3 marks)

‍ Here, you would identify the relevant sentence types (declaratives, imperatives, interrogatives, and exclamatives), and explain their role in the text. You would also want to ensure that your explanations are specific to the context of the text.

[Question 9, 2010 VCAA] - Discuss the function of two different non-fluency features between lines 70 and 96. (4 marks)

‍ Here, you would identify two non fluency features (such as pauses, false starts, repairs, repetition) and give a 1 sentence explanation of its role or what it indicates.

[Question 1, 2012 VCAA] - Identify the register of the text. (1 mark)

‍ This question is quite straightforward, and you could use terms such as formal, informal, predominantly formal/informal in your response.

[Question 4, 2012 VCAA] - How does the verb tense in lines 9–34 support the purpose of this section of the text? (2 marks)

‍ Here you would identify whether the verb tense is in past, present, or future tense, and explain why it has been used in that way based on the contextual factors.

[Question 3, 2017 VCAA] - Using appropriate metalanguage, identify and explain two specific language features that reflect the speaker’s identity.(4 marks)

‍ Here, you can pick examples from any subsystem that relate to the speaker’s identity, such as jargon, colloquialisms, semantics of certain jokes, expletives, or pejoratives.

Note: The exams prior to 2012 have 2 sets of short answer questions, because analytical commentaries weren’t a part of the exam back then. This leaves you with lots of practice questions! However, do keep in mind that the metalanguage lists differed and certain features were categorised in different ways. For example, Question 2 from the VCAA 2013 exam asks you to talk about prosodic features, however, in the examiner’s report, pauses are suggested as an option. We know that in the present study design, pauses are classified as features of spoken discourse, under the discourse subsystem, whereas prosodic features are classified under the subsystem of phonetics and phonology.

Check out How To Respond to Short Answer Questions in VCE English Language if you need more help tackling Section A of the exam.

Section B is an analytical commentary (AC) worth 30 marks. The introduction for an AC is an explanation of the contextual factors, the social purpose, and the register, of the text. In the body paragraphs (generally three), you group your examples from the text by themes, and explain their roles. 

There are two main approaches for body paragraphs; the sub-system approach, and the holistic approach. In the sub-system approach, you would organise your examples so that each paragraph is addressing a specific subsystem. For example, your AC could be composed of the introduction, and then a paragraph on lexicology, one on syntax, and one on discourse. This approach is easier for when you’re starting out with ACs, but one of the issues with it is that you end up limiting yourself to just one portion of the text for the one paragraph. In the holistic approach, you would typically do a paragraph on social purpose, register, and discourse. In this approach, you are able to group examples from multiple subsystems and talk about how they work together in achieving specific roles in the texts. 

Make sure you’re attempting a range of different types of texts, such as, opinion pieces, recipes, oaths, editorials, advertisements, eulogies, social media posts, public notices, television transcripts, radio transcripts, letters, speeches, legal contracts, conversations, narratives, and more.

For more information, have a look at this video:

Section C is an essay worth 30 marks. There are a range of topics that can potentially come up in the exam, and it is really important that you practice writing a variety of essays. 

In essays, it is really important to ensure that you set out a clear contention in your introduction. This will basically tell the assessor what point you’re making in your essay, and it’ll also help you remember which direction to take your essay. After your contention, you need to signpost your ideas. This means that you need to summarise what 3 points you are stating in your body paragraphs. 

Here’s an exercise which is really helpful in refining introductions - When you’re writing your contention, write “In this essay, I will argue that [Insert contention]. I will do this by stating the following points [Insert signposting].” When you’re happy with your introduction, you can remove the underlined parts. This will help you really understand how the roles for contentions and signposting differ. You’ll also thoroughly understand what position you’re taking in the essay.

The body paragraphs follow TEEL structure. You begin with your topic sentence, state your evidence, explain it, and then link it back to your contention. You have three options for the type of evidence that you’ll use (stimulus material, contemporary examples, and linguist quotes), and it's important to use a combination of them. According to the exam rubric, you have to be using at least 1 piece of stimulus material. Contemporary examples should ideally be from the current year and the previous. Linguist quotes don’t have time restrictions but it’s a good idea to try and find recent ones.

One of the most important things in body paragraphs is to make sure that you’re able to link your example back to your contention. If you’re unable to do this, it means that your examples aren't relevant to the points that you’re trying to make. 

In your conclusion, you need to ensure that you don’t introduce any new examples or points. The role of the conclusion is to summarise and reinforce your points and your overall contention. 

If you would like further clarification, have a look at this post on English Language Essays.

4. How To Study for English Language

Time management and organisation.

Having a study timetable will make studying much less stressful than it needs to be. In your timetable, make sure you are allocating enough time for all of your subjects, as well as time for rest, extra-curricular activities, work, and socialising. A realistic time-table will also mean that you’re less likely to waste time trying to decide which subjects to study for. For example, every Sunday, you could spend 15 minutes planning out your week based on which assessments you have, and which subjects you would like to give time to. This becomes especially useful in SWOTVAC, where you’ll be responsible for ensuring you’re spending enough time on each subject whilst also balancing everything else outside of school. 

Here are some extra resources to help you with time management:

SWOTVAC: Planning Your Life

10 Hacks For Time Management

How to survive VCE - motivation and approach

Revising Metalanguage

Consistently revising metalanguage is one of the most important study methods for English Language. 

The basics of metalanguage are covered in Unit 1. Make sure you keep a clear set of notes for this content so that you’re able to look back on it to revise throughout the year. Before the year 12 year begins, you want to make sure that everything in the year 11 metalanguage list makes sense to you. Spending the summer holidays before year 12 begins in reinforcing the basics will help you throughout year 12, as you’ll be able to pick up on the new metalanguage much faster. One of the first things you'll cover is coherence and cohesion, so if you would like to get a head start, have a look at this post.

Throughout year 12, consistently revising metalanguage will be your responsibility. It is likely that you’ll be spending a greater proportion of class time in learning content, and writing short answer responses, analytical commentaries, or essays. Therefore, it’s really important to figure out a way that works best for you in being able to frequently revise metalanguage. Flashcards are pretty useful for revision, as well as making mind maps so that you’re able to visualise how everything is set out in the study design.

One issue students run into is that they’re able to define and give examples for metalanguage terms, however, they are unable to understand how it fits in in terms of the categories under each subsystem. For example, a student is able to remember what a metaphor is, but unable to recall that it fits under semantic patterning. Similarly, a student may know what a pause is, but not know if it’s part of prosodic features or discourse features. It’s important to know what all the categories are, because the short answer questions usually ask for you to identify features under a particular category. Therefore, spending time on just revising the definitions alone isn’t sufficient in learning metalanguage. You also need to be able to ensure that you can recall which category each term fits under.

Reading the News

For the essay, you’re required to use contemporary media examples as evidence (alongside stimulus material and linguist quotes). It’s really important for you to begin this process early so that you’re able to start using examples in essays as early as possible. For tips on how to find, analyse and store your examples, see our post on Building Essay Evidence Banks for English Language .

Having an awareness of Australia’s historical, political, and social context, will provide you with a more comprehensive perspective of the contemporary examples. So, if you don’t already do this, try to develop a habit of reading the news (The Conversation or The Guardian are a good place to start). Television programs like Q and A, The Drum, and Media Watch, will help you understand the Australian context, and often these programs will also discuss the roles of language, which directly links with what you're looking for as essay examples. It’s especially important to start early, and to build these skills over time, so that you are able to develop a holistic foundation. 

Extra Practice Pieces and Seeking Feedback

Doing extra practice pieces is a really effective way to develop and refine your analytical skills. Make sure you receive feedback for all your work from your teacher or tutor, as it’s the only way you'll know if you’re going in the right direction.

If you’re short on time, even writing up AC or essay plans, or just doing 1 paragraph, is an effective way to revise.

Learning Quotes and Examples

Memorising several pages full of linguist quotes and contemporary examples may seem daunting at first, but once you begin using them in essays, they’ll become much easier to remember. Right from the beginning of yr12, make sure you set up a document to compile your linguist quotes and examples into subheadings. For example subheadings such as ‘cultural identity,’ ‘jargon,’ ‘hate speech,’ ‘free speech,’ or ‘Australian values’ will make it easier for you to navigate your notes when you're planning your essays.

If you start early, you’ll be able to remember everything bit by bit as you progress through the year, which is definitely easier than trying to remember the evidence the night before the assessment. Additionally, you’ll be ready with quotes and examples as soon as you begin essays in class, so you’ll be able to use your examples earlier, hence learn them earlier, and therefore be able to memorise your quotes and examples in advance. If you’re in year 12 and you’re nearing the end of the year and still struggling to memorise your examples and quotes, try using flashcards to remember your evidence.  Make sure you’re doing a range of essays on different topics so that you’re able to apply and analyse your evidence. 

Learning From Your Mistakes

It can be pretty disheartening to make the same mistakes repeatedly and continue to lose marks. So, compiling the mistakes that you make throughout the year in a separate notebook or document is a fantastic way to keep track of the key things you need to remember. You’ll also be less likely to repeat those mistakes.

Group Studies

Studying in groups for English Language is a highly effective way to refine your understanding of the content, and see different perspectives in the way certain ideas can be applied. Revising metalanguage and testing your friends on their knowledge can be a light and engaging way to ensure you and your friends are on the right track. Sharing the ways you and your group have approached a specific AC is also an effective way to learn about different approaches. Discussing essay topics is a useful way in refining your arguments, as you’ll be exposed to different opinions and be able to work on ensuring that your arguments are relevant and strong.

See How To Extend Yourself in VCE English Language for more tips!

5. Metalanguage List

Please refer to pages 9-10 for the Year 11 list, and 17-18 for the Year 12 list !

6. Sample Essay

Language is fundamental to identity and consequently we draw on our linguistic repertoire to project different aspects of our identity according to context. Discuss this statement in the contemporary Australian context with reference to at least two subsystems in your response.

(This essay topic relates to Unit 4 - AoS1, ‘Language variation in Australian society.’) 

Introduction

Language plays a pivotal role in establishing and communicating various facets of identity. As such, individuals can alter their linguistic repertoire to establish in-group membership. Teenspeak is an effective mechanism in expressing teenage identity, but can also be used by the older generation to appeal to young people. Code switching between ethnolects and standard Australian English further illustrates how individuals can manipulate their linguistic choices to suit their environment, whilst simultaneously reflecting ethnic identity . Furthermore, jargon plays a critical role in establishing professional identity and signifying expertise or authority. Consequently, linguistic choices are capable of expressing diverse and multifaceted identities.

Body Paragraph

Teenspeak is capable of expressing identity and establishing in group membership amongst teenages, however it can also be used by those in the out-group to appeal to teenagers. Professor Pam Peters asserts that “Teenagers use language as a kind of identity badge that has the effect of excluding adults." Consequently, teenagers are able to establish exclusivity and in-group membership. Bakery owner Morgan Hipworth, who largely has a teenage following and is a teenager himself, employs teenspeak in a video recipe, where he responds to the question ‘Can you make a 10 layer cheese toastie?’ with ‘Bet, let’s go.’ Through using the teenspeak term ‘bet,’ Hipworth is able to relate and connect with his young audience while further asserting his identity as a teenager. This demonstrates how teenspeak can be effective in both establishing in-group membership, and expressing identity. Similarly, Youtuber Ashley Mescia’s extensive use of teenspeak initialisms in Instagram captions, such as ‘ootd’ for ‘outfit of the day,’ ‘grwm’ for ‘get ready with me,’ and ‘ngl’ for ‘not gonna lie,’ allows her to connect with her predominantly teenage following, thus allowing her to establish solidarity and in-group membership. This further indicates that teenspeak is an effective mechanism in expressing identity and building in-group membership. In contrast, teenspeak can also be used by older people in an effort to appeal to teenages. For example, in 2019, ABC’s Q and A host Tony Jones ended a promotional video for an opportunity for high-school students to appear on the panel with ‘It’s gonna be lit fam.’ This was done in an effort to appeal to younger people by exploiting the notion that it is often seen as cringeworthy when older people use teenspeak. Linguist Kate Burridge asserts that “older people using contemporary teen slang often sounds insincere and phoney,” and Jones was aware of this, however his purpose was to appeal to this to be able to further promote the video. Therefore, teenspeak is effective in both establishing in-group membership and expressing identity, and also appealing to the in-group and a member of the out-group.  

7. Year 12 Essay Topic Categories

1: australian english.

  • Australian English differs from other national varieties – this theme looks at what makes Australian English unique and the factors that have contributed to its development over time. You can learn more by checking out our blog post on Australian Cultural Values
  • What makes this variety unique as a national variety
  • Broad, General, Cultivated accents
  • Aboriginal English
  • Attitudes towards Australian language varieties
  • Standard Australian English and its prestige value
  • Non-standard varieties operating in Australia
  • Regional variation within Australia
  • The role of language in constructing national identity
  • Face needs (read blog)

2: Individual and Group Identity

  • Social and personal variation (age, gender, occupation, interests, education, background, aspiration)
  • Individual identity and group membership
  • Standard and non-standard English and prestige varieties
  • In-groups and exclusion
  • Social attitudes to non-standard accents and dialects

3: Register

  • Relationships between speaker/writer and interlocutors/audience
  • Physical setting, situational and cultural contexts
  • Subject matter/topic/domain/field
  • Mode (spoken, written, electronic)
  • Purpose/function of the interaction
  • Social attitudes and beliefs of participants

4: Social Purpose of Language

  • Inclusion and exclusion; in-groups and out-groups; social distance and intimacy
  • How language can be used to uphold or threaten positive or negative face needs (read blog)
  • Prestige forms of language
  • Political correctness (read blog)
  • Discrimination and hatespeech
  • Euphemism and dysphemism (watch video)
  • Taboo, pejoratives, and swearing
  • Jargon, and how language establishes expertise
  • Slang and colloquialisms
  • Manipulation of language (obfuscation, doublespeak, gobbledegook)
  • Politeness strategies and social harmony
  • Language in the public domain; public language
  • Linguistic innovation
  • How language represents or shapes social and cultural, values, beliefs, attitudes
  • How language can express identity 
  • Other functions of language, such as recording, clarifying, entertaining, promoting, persuading, commemorating, celebrating, instructing, informing

5: Attitudes to the Varieties

6: language change.

Although language change features more heavily in Units 1 & 2, it is still important to be aware of how language is changing in everyday lives to reflect social needs, attitudes and values. Consider the following:

  • Australian English and its development and evolution over time
  • Taboo, swearing and dysphemism and the role of changing social values
  • Political correctness , non-discriminatory language and changing social values
  • Linguistic innovation and informal language
  • Technological advances and their impact on language - this includes emojis and text speak
  • Global contact and other social changes and their impact on contemporary Australian English
  • Migrant ethnolects and Aboriginal English

For an overview of English Language, the study design, what’s involved in the exam and more, take a look at our Ultimate Guide to English Language .

There are several strategies you can use to your advantage to extend yourself in VCE English Language. 

Make Finding Examples a Habit

One simple way to expose yourself to more examples is to follow news pages on social media so that you can see regular updates about current affairs. Have a read through of point 7: Year 12 Essay Topic Categories in our Ultimate Guide to English Language so that you can understand what types of examples you should be keeping an eye out for. 

Right from the start of the school year, make sure you set up a system to keep track of your examples. You could do this by setting up a document with headings (such as ‘free speech’, ‘egalitarianism’, ‘ political correctness ’, ‘double-speak’, ‘ethnolects’ and ‘ Australian identity ’) and adding examples to this document throughout the year as you find them. For more information about the potential headings you could use, have a look at the dot points in the VCE English Language Study Design from page 17 onwards. 

I’d also highly recommend checking out Building Essay Evidence Banks for English Language as it teaches you a great table method for storing and analysing your examples. 

The advantage of creating an example/evidence bank of some sort is that if you start looking for examples right at the start of the year, you’ll have more time to analyse and memorise them. Additionally, you’ll also be able to use them far earlier in your essays, which means that the quotes and examples you select will become much easier to remember for the final exam.

Have a Basic Understanding of Australian History, Politics and Social Issues

Having a basic understanding of Australian history, politics and social issues is highly beneficial for enhancing your analytical skills for English Language. This is essential in developing strong contentions for your essays. Some key issues that would be worth having some background information on include the following:

Australia’s colonial history and treatment of Indigenous communities, racism, and the language surrounding these matters.

 Look into the following: 

  • How does language reflect or perpetuate prejudice? 
  • How does hate speech affect social harmony? 
  • How can language be used to establish in-group solidarity?

Sexism, racism, ableism, homophobia and transphobia.

  • How can bias and prejudice be conveyed through language? 
  • What are some examples of implicit and explicit bias? 
  • What role does political correctness play in this context? 
  • Does political correctness create benefits or does it restrict societies? 

Environmental issues, and the way this intersects with politics. 

  • How can euphemisms , doublespeak, and bureaucratic language be used to obfuscate or mitigate blame? 

Immigration and refugee policy related discourse. 

  • What are the origins of pejoratives such as ‘boat people’ and ‘queue jumper’ that are frequently used against refugees? 
  • How does this influence the values or beliefs of a society? 

Business and economic issues, labour exploitation 

  • How can bureaucratic language and jargon be used to mislead and manipulate?

Political affairs (historical and recent)

  • How can formal language be used to mitigate blame and responsibility, negotiate social taboos, or establish national identity? 

Having an awareness of key events and social issues in Australia, an understanding of the groups that make up Australia, and exposing yourself to a diverse set of media is really important in developing your essay writing skills. It does take time, but what will ultimately happen is that your discussions in your essays will be much more insightful and demonstrate a well thought out argument.

Apply Your Critical Thinking Skills

When writing essays, try your best to apply your critical thinking skills . Identify the assumptions you’re making when you present a certain point, and try to develop arguments against your position so that you can better understand why you have chosen your side. Developing a holistic and detailed contention is far better than just picking one side out of simplicity, as it allows you to demonstrate consideration and analysis of a range of factors that affect a certain issue. Use your evidence (contemporary examples, linguist quotes and stimulus material) to develop your points, and position yourself to be mindful of any biases you may have by continuously asking yourself what has influenced your way of thinking. Above all, try to discuss your essay prompts with your peers, as this will provide you with different perspectives and help you strengthen your own point. 

Consistently Revising Metalanguage

Consistently revising metalanguage is crucial for doing well in English Language. Throughout Year 12, consistently revising metalanguage will be your responsibility. It is likely that you’ll be spending a greater proportion of class time in learning content, and writing practice pieces. Therefore, it’s really important to figure out a way that works best for you in being able to frequently revise metalanguage. Flashcards are useful for revision on the go, as well as making mind maps so that you’re able to visualise how everything is set out in the study design. 

One issue students run into when it comes to learning metalanguage is that they’re able to define and give examples for metalanguage terms, however, they are unable to understand how those terms fit into the categories under each subsystem. For example, a student is able to remember what a metaphor is, but unable to recall that it fits under semantic patterning. Similarly, a student may know what a pause is, but not know if it’s part of prosodic features or discourse features. 

It’s important to know what all the categories are because the short answer questions usually ask you to identify features under a particular category (e.g. you’d be asked to talk about semantic patterning, not metaphor or pun). Therefore, spending time on just revising the definitions alone isn’t sufficient in learning metalanguage. You also need to be able to ensure that you can recall which category each term fits under. Refer to the study design (pages 17-18) , for a list of categories you need to remember; these include: 

  • Prosodic features
  • Vocal effects
  • Phonological patterning
  • Processes in connected speech
  • Word classes, word formation processes
  • Sentence types
  • Sentence structures
  • Syntactic patterning
  • Features of spoken discourse
  • Strategies of spoken discourse
  • Semantic patterning
  • Sense relations/other semantics

Using Meaningful Examples in Essays

When you talk about a certain variety of English, say for example ethnolects or teen speak, rather than just providing a lexical example or translation, try to find a contemporary example of the term being used in the media, online or by a prominent individual. For example, rather than saying:

  ‘The lexeme ‘bet’ is an example of teen speak which allows young people to establish solidarity ’,

you could say:

 ‘ Bakery owner Morgan Hipworth, who largely has a teenage following and is a young person himself, employs teenspeak in a video recipe, where he responds to the question “Can you make a 10 layer cheese toastie?” with “Bet, let’s go. ”’ 

This will provide you with a better opportunity to talk about in-groups and identity, rather than just defining and identifying an example as part of a particular variety. In doing so, you’re better able to address the roles of different linguistic examples in a contextualised and detailed manner. 

In Building Essay Evidence Banks for English Language you’ll see that a short analysis for each of your examples (the ones you are collecting throughout the year) is encouraged, but, you could take things one step further - add on an extra column and combine your analysis and example in a practice sentence. Head to the blog to learn more about building evidence banks .

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Essay on English as a Global Language

Phonics Book

500 Words Essay On English as a Global Language

A global language is one that is spoken and understood at an international level by a wide variety of people. Moreover, no language in the world better fits this description than the English language. This essay on English as a global language will shed more light on this issue.

essay on english as a global language

                                                                                                  Essay on English as a Global Language

Why English is a Global Language

When it comes to languages, one can make a strong argument that a strong link exists between dominance and cultural power. Furthermore, the main factor that the languages become popular is due to a powerful power-base, whether economic or political or military.

The derivation of the English language took place from languages like French, Latin, German, and other European languages. This can be a reason why many Europeans don’t find English a difficult language to learn. Furthermore, linguists argue whether the simplicity of the English language is the main reason for it becoming a global language.

The Latin script of the English language appears less complicated for people to recognize and learn. Also, the pronunciation of the English language is not as complex as other languages like Korean or Turkish for example.

Generally, the difficulty level of a language varies from person to person and it also depends on the culture to which one may belong. For example, a Korean person would find less difficulty in mastering the Japanese language in comparison to a German person. This is because of the close proximity of the Korean and Japanese cultures.

Due to the massive British colonial conquests , no culture is in complete oblivion of the English language or words. As such, English is a language that should not appear as too alien or strange to any community. Consequently, learning English is not such big of a deal for most people as they can find a certain level of familiarity with the language.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

The Effectiveness of the English Language

English is a very effective language and this is evident due to the presence of various native and non-native speakers on a global scale. Furthermore, according to statistics, one-fourth of the world is either fluent in the English language or content with it. While it’s true that the number of native Mandarin speakers is the greatest in the world, Mandarin is not the global language due to its complex spellings, grammar , and letter system.

The English language, on the other hand, does not suffer from such complexity problems. Furthermore, the English language has a lot of words and synonyms to express something. As such, any word or its meaning can be expressed with a high level of accuracy.

Conclusion of the Essay on English as a Global Language

English is certainly the most widely spoken language in the world by far. On a global scale, English has the most number of speakers, who speak English either as a first or second language. Without a doubt, no other language in the world can come close to English in terms of its immense popularity.

FAQs For Essay on English as a Global Language

Question 1: Why English is referred to as the global language?

Answer 1:  Many consider English as a global language because it is the one language that the majority of the population in almost every region of the world can speak and understand. Furthermore, the language enjoys worldwide acceptance and usage by every nation of the world. Therefore, it is an extremely essential global language.

Question 2: How English became the global language in the world?

Answer 2: By the late 18th century, the British Empire had made a lot of colonies. Moreover, they had established their geopolitical dominance all over the world. Consequently, the English language quickly spread in the British colonies.

There was also the contribution of technology, science, diplomacy, commerce, art, and formal education which led to English becoming a truly global language of the world.

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Writing Task 2: Importance of English Essay

Glen Brown

Updated On Feb 24, 2023

value of english language essay

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Writing Task 2: Importance of English Essay

Limited-Time Offer : Access a FREE 10-Day IELTS Study Plan!

IELTS is one of the English language evaluation exams that millions of candidates take in order to migrate to an English-speaking country. This reflects the importance of the language on a global scale. As a result, the two-part essay or the  direct question essay , a part of the Writing Task 2 of the IELTS, is discussed here with an outline and vocabulary that will help you to prepare.

Before checking out the sample and vocabulary of the importance of English, check out the video for some tips on the double question or direct question essay.

Now, check out this IELTS essay on the importance of English given below.

You should spend no more than 40 minutes on this task.

Millions of people every year move to English- speaking countries such as Australia, Britain or America, in order to study at school, college or university. Why do so many people want to study in English? Why is English such an important international language?

You should write at least 250 words.

Direct Question Essay

Introduction

  • In the last few decades, English has become the global standard language for official as well as unofficial communication and the number of users is ever increasing.
  • As a result, it has become mandatory to master this language if one wishes to move to an English-speaking country, like Australia, Britain or America, in search of educational and professional opportunities.
  • The upcoming paragraphs of this essay will throw light on the reasons for the popularity of English and its importance as an international language.

Paragraph 1: Reasons for the widespread appeal of study in English

Paragraph 2: Reasons for English being accepted as an important international language

Conclusion 

Clearly restate points covered in the essay.

Sample Answer

In the last few decades, English has become the global standard language for official as well as unofficial communication and the number of users is ever-increasing. As a result, it has become  obligatory  to master this language if one wishes to move to an English-speaking country, like Australia, Britain or America, in search of educational and professional opportunities. The upcoming paragraphs of this essay will  throw light on  the reasons for the popularity of English and its importance as an international language.

Learning English has  multifarious  advantages as compared to other languages. Firstly, when a person moves to a country where English is the dominant language, it is of utmost importance to learn the language in order to interact effortlessly with the natives. Secondly, nowadays, the most common medium of education and  white-collar  jobs is English as it is  comprehensible  to most people around the world. For example, when a person becomes proficient in English while in school or college, he/she has access to various life-changing possibilities. Last but not least, being fluent in English opens up a world of prospects where one can delve into various technological, scientific and magnificent other  breakthroughs  going on in this world. It not only increases the knowledge of the person but also increases their  tenacity  to  make their own mark  in the world.

Colonization is one of the most important reasons why English has become a universal language. When the British ruled over large countries like India, Africa, Canada, Australia, etc., they  advocated  the spread of the English language. Consequently, it became the language of the educated and, at present,  monopolizes  the current global scenario. Moreover, there are various nations of the world, like India and Russia, that have their own language/s in which the nationals connect with each other. This creates a communication gap when foreigners visit these countries. In such situations, English comes to the rescue as it is the most spoken language in the world, with over 1,130 million speakers in the world.

In conclusion, as English has become the most preferred language for worldwide communication, it has become a powerful tool to acquire an effective position in the world, whether in the educational sphere or in terms of career growth.

1. Obligatory (adjective)

Meaning:  expected, because it is what most people do; mandatory

E.g.: It has been made obligatory for officers to follow the dress code.

2. Throw light on (phrasal verb)

Meaning: to make it possible to understand or know more about (something)

E.g.: This session will throw light on the improvements we need to make in the upcoming quarter.

3. Multifarious (adjective)

Meaning: numerous and varied

E.g.: The multifarious uses of the table made it everyone’s favourite.

4. White-collar (adjective)

Meaning: relating to people who work in offices, doing work that needs mental rather than physical effort

E.g.: He is looking for white-collar jobs.

5. Comprehensible (adjective)

Meaning: able to be understood

E.g.: The graffiti on the wall is comprehensible to everyone.

6. Breakthrough (noun)

Meaning: an important discovery or event that helps to improve a situation or provide an answer to a problem

E.g.: Einstein made a breakthrough with the discovery of gravity.

7. Tenacity (noun)

Meaning: the determination to continue what you are doing

E.g.: After the death of her family, she lost the tenacity to work.

8. Make a mark (phrasal verb)

Meaning: to have an important effect on something

E.g.: Her father felt proud when she made a mark in the sports world.

9. Advocate (verb)

Meaning: publicly recommend or support

E.g.: Our school advocates the careful usage of electricity and water.

10. Monopolize (verb)

Meaning: assume complete possession or control of

E.g.: His mother tries to monopolize his life.

If you want such sample essays for a higher band, you can check the Writing Task 2 ebook for Academic as well as General . Other than that, if you want to interact with our IELTS experts, book a free session and get going with your IELTS preparation.

Practice IELTS Writing Task 2 based on Essay types

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Glen Brown

Glen has been an English teacher for 10 years. She has also been associated with various English training institutes. She joined IELTSMaterial a few months ago and soon became the most sought-after writer. Her essays are engaging and detail-oriented. Her English teaching experience comes in handy for delivering content that is agreeable from an examiner’s point of view. Having majored in English Literature from Birmingham University, she is passionate about imparting English knowledge.

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Home / Essay Samples / Science / Language / The Importance of Language Essay

The Importance of Language Essay

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  • Topic: Language Diversity , Second Language

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