There are almost 2.3 billion English speakers worldwide, but what does the future hold for the worldโs most widely spoken language given the development of AI and the growing popularity of other languages?
#1. English will continue to be used as the primary language of the world.
British Council examined the 14 forecasts linguist David Graddol made in his 2006 book โEnglish Nextโ, which included his prediction that English would become less common as a global language.
They come to the conclusion that English has already passed a tipping point at which it would be very difficult, if not impossible, for a new language to reach that level regardless of the fact that other languages, such as Chinese are gaining the market share.
Moreover, a big threat to English does not come from other languages, it comes from technology.
#2. AI is here to stay and can improve English language learning, but it is not a teacher substitute and is far from flawless.
AI is a vast area. Regarding the English language itself, it will alter our linguistic production and usage patterns. We anticipate significant efficiency gains, including the ability to design shorter, more narrowly focused tests on particular constructs. The โmost likelyโ path to individualized learning and evaluation is through artificial intelligence (AI), which also has advantages for development and design agility.
AI systems do have several drawbacks, though, including problems with creativity, bias, copyright, and accurate and consistent scoring. English language experts are still vitally required even with AIโs rapid advancements, or else we run the risk of letting it essentially misuse the language.
To fully reap the advantages of technology iNn the classroom, โteachers are keyโ and need more support. We risk losing the education system if we lose teachers, who are the cornerstone of the educational system. And for teacher training, legislators and teacher preparation programs must also adapt to the changing nature of education.
#3. The demand for an employment focus in English instruction, learning, and assessment is increasing.
The British Council conducted global roundtable discussions with policymakers and policy influencers to identify trends and drivers in the English language. 92% of participants believed English is important to get employment in the nation. However, education services often follow traditional routes, neglecting the importance of learning how to use the language in specific contexts. The focus should be on developing connections between speakers and listeners rather than accuracy in speaking.
Stakeholders at the Americas roundtable (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and the US) have suggested that English proficiency is shifting from test certificates to communication skills in specific work contexts. It is also acknowledged that different jobs require different English skills and proficiency levels, with front- or back-office roles influencing skill priorities.
