TESOL+THESIS

“Those who know nothing of foreign languages know nothing of their own.” (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe) 1
 * THE IMPORTANCE OF ENGLISH IN THE WORLD TODAY **

We all know that English is the most important and used language around the world today, but we really know why? In which areas of our lives we use it and how it affects our economy, knowledge (scientific, medical, nuclear, etc.). Industry, technology, education, jobs, etc. and how an EASOL teacher can help people which English is not their first language, get the best of their lives learning English. English is considered the "lingua franca" 2 in the world today: the language in which transactions are conducted economic, political, technological, academic and cultural relations between peoples. Globalization has generated unprecedented internationalization of the language and it is revolutionizing as the new Anglophone around the world give it its own identity, creating regional variations. Many years ago, learning English was a project that only few were lucky enough to get access to, however, now knowing English is a reality, and a necessity. It is extremely necessary to surrender to reality and realize that this language is part of our present and active in our lives in every area imaginable. English opens doors, no doubt, now has become an indispensable tool for our lives, and since what was once considered a supplement is now a basic requirement. It is well know that to get a good job, especially in a country which English is not the first language, people must be very well prepared, as the demand for the good jobs is very large and those who are fluent in English have the first options. Also, the global economic situation is affecting the unemployment rate in most countries, every day the news show how hundreds or even thousand lost their jobs because of the crisis, and the ones that are not dismissed and remain employees are: THE MORE PREPARED. Those who went to top universities, that are more efficient in their tasks and the ones to master more than two languages ​​and one of them is English, if you know English you can see the world, talk to the world, work in any place of the world and therefore work best for a given company. In the times we are living now, if you are a physician, chemist, biologist, etc. it is critical that you know English. The vast majority of books which the knowledge is based are written in English, medicine and art studies are in English and sometimes they take more than 5 years to translate to other languages, which means that for those who doesn´t speak English, the latest research is not accessible. A recent study in South Korea estimated how much an English-dominated setting for science has cost that nation´s scientific development. Kumju Hwang of the University of Leeds, UK, interviewed 15 Korean researchers and engineers working in the United Kingdom about their personal experiences in the international arena. All the respondents said that because of language issues they spend a large proportion of their time preparing presentations and papers, and practicing language skills for discussion — and even then, they say, they still miss more than 50% of what they hear. Seven of the interviewees felt that this weakness contributed to Korea´s status as a consumer of basic science, rather than a major contributor. Hwang also found evidence that the requirement for English in science communication shaped the way that the social hierarchy among scientists developed in Korea. Employers prefer to hire researchers who have studied or worked in English-speaking nations, rather than those who did their postdoctoral work in countries such as Japan or France. 3 English is the language of science. So researchers who are non-native English speakers are a disadvantage. English is the universal language to communicate with people from all over the world. On the Internet you will find countless pages, tools, features, articles, courses, etc., which will be in English. In fact, the best tools for those working online are all in English, because they have been created by and for English speakers. The English speakers market is vast and the advantage is that it is a much more developed market with a culture of electronic transactions where people are more used to purchase products and services online, eliminating the problem that exists with Hispanic countries where even today there is much fear in online transactions, but this is more a fear for not understanding English. In conclusion, English is the language of today and tomorrow and because it is the language of the most powerful nation in the world (United States), no one can resist using it as studies, scientific, medical, industrial, nuclear, etc. every single article or the most important decisions that affect the world are written, spoken and read it in English. ESOL teachers have an important task, teach English to the future Scientifics, writers, doctors, and every person that ones to get better chances in their lives. English is not a luxury but a necessity and ESOL teachers are well prepared to meet that need. The world is written, spoken and read it in English, and to be part of that world is necessary to learn the language. “If you know English, you know the world”.
 * 1) http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/333723-those-who-know-nothing-of-foreign-languages-know-nothing-of
 * 2) Lingua franca: A lingua franca (or working language, bridge language , vehicular language ) is a language systematically used to make communication possible between people not sharing a mother tongue, in particular when it is a third language, distinct from both mother tongues. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingua_franca)
 * 3) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.theniki.net/newsdetail-en-19.html