By Thae Thae Khoo
The young generation of the 21st century is influenced by advanced technology. This technology makes everything easier and more affordable. The more people become connected with the help of technology, the more they are globalized and the more they develop as global citizens.
At this point of globalisation, English helps people to overcome communication barriers and brings more societies into contact. People inspire each other through incredible stories and share the same purposes, missions and visions. In addition, English has been used in all high technology products and worldwide web information. That seriously seizes people’s attention and makes them interested in learning English and boosts the involvement of the English language in every essential field.
If people can speak English proficiently, they have more chance to connect with the outside world.
English is one of the most used languages worldwide and it is an official language in many rich and powerful countries. People use English in many ways such as applying for universities, pursuing a professional career, business, entertainment and politics. If people can speak English proficiently, they have more chance to connect with the outside world.
English is not just a typical language. It is also a carrier of ideas about technology, culture, the global economy, and politics and international relations. English offers opportunities to people to explore the unknown knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of the way the world works. English also allows people to interact socially and integrate more easily with people from other cultures.
For those who cannot afford those expenses, they rely on volunteer teachers who are willing to spend their time teaching English.
English has become the dominant language in academia and in the sciences. Every year, people spend millions of dollars on learning English and living in English speaking countries. Leading international universities conduct English proficiency tests as a condition of admission for foreign students. English is being used as the only official language for the school curriculums in some countries. The students who can invest money in learning English are able to become fluent English speakers. For those who cannot afford those expenses, they rely on volunteer teachers who are willing to spend their time teaching English. The students value the volunteer English teachers because these teachers can support, guide and assist student’s learning without any problems.
English is also seen as the language of the Internet and high tech and that definitely has a negative impact on other languages.
Fluent English speakers are more likely to hold higher positions in society because they have more possibilities to achieve success in international business. Thus, the numbers of English speakers are growing enormously day-by-day and that is a challenge to local languages. English is also seen as the language of the Internet and high tech and that definitely has a negative impact on other languages. Some people claim that the world’s linguistic diversity is less preserved because of English domination and that more local languages are declining each year. In particular, indigenous language should be empowered through public campaigns and people encouraged to value their mother language along with English.
About the writer
I am Thae Thae Khoo. I am from Myanmar and have been living in Thailand for 10 years. Currently, I am working with the World Vision Foundation of Thailand in the position of Frontline Social Networker (FSN) in STAR-2 TB/HIV project in Mae Sot, Thailand. I am a former working student of the Australian Catholic University’s Thai- Burma border program. I will graduate from the Australian Catholic University with a Diploma in Liberal Arts in May 2019.
If you are a teacher looking to work with communities in the Thai-Burma border region, see our current opportunities in Mae Sot, Mae Remat, and Umphang.