Teaching English is a task which requires good training in order to produce education in the highest quality. Learning English has become crucial not only as a form of communication but as an indication of the economic capabilities and potentials of a country that is able to produce a high quality English-speaking workforce.
In fact, many efforts have been made by governments of non-native English speaking countries to improve the quality of the English education in their schools in all levels, from primary school to college. Examples of such efforts include giving English classes to beginners and making advanced classes available for those who are already learned and wish to improve their skills. These are found in both private and public schools of non-native speaking countries.
Here are some of the impacts of teaching English as a Second Language to non-native speaking countries:
English is now recognized as an International Language (EIL). After World War I, it has become the lingua franca of international business, science, technology and aviation. English should therefore be included in the set of skills for an educated citizen of our time.
Business Process Outsourcing, also known as BPO, is now the main trend of international companies that wish to cut their costs by outsourcing their workforce to countries that have cheaper labor. These companies, more often than not are owned and run by English-speakers requiring employees who speak English. For example, international financial institutions such as Standard Chartered and JP Morgan and Chase have offices in countries of non-native English speakers like the Philippines, Malaysia, and India. These non-native English speakers deal with clients who are dominantly native English speakers across the globe. Hence, teaching English as a Second Language will result to attracting more foreign investments from BPO companies.
Teaching English as a Second Language promotes tourism in a non-native English speaking country. Tourists that travel for pleasure are usually either native or non-native English speakers, or people who have chosen English as lingua franca. Having tourist guides who use English well in verbal and written communication is a great added bonus when attracting foreigners to visit one’s country.
Adapting English as the lingua franca of a country that has many different vernacular languages such as South Africa and the Philippines, has many benefits. It fosters the bridging of cultural differences between communities that speak different languages. It also fosters trade and business between different regions within the same country.
It is safe to conclude that teaching English as a Second Language to non-native speaking countries benefits not only the individual but also impacts both the cultural unity and economy of a nation.
Jayson Pino Guevarra is currently the Chief Research and Development Officer of Executive English, an international company which assists global communication through the efficient use of technology. Executive English brings together people who want to learn English online, professionals who are qualified to handle English teaching jobs, and expert providers of online learning support for distance education.
