The English language is now the first language of about 350 million people, the native language of 12 nations and the official or semiofficial language of thirty-three more nations. That means one in every seven people in the world speaks English.
The English language has become the «new Latin», the lingua franca, of the century. In terms of scientific know-how and technological development, one must know English to be a part of the twentieth century. In this context it’s not difficult to see why in Italy for example, English is a must for many technical jobs. In China, English is the chief foreign language learned at school.
At present no other language on earth is better suited to play the Pole of a world language. There are many reasons for its popularity. First English is easier to Team than any other language. Second it easily borrows local words and phrases from the very countries into which it expands.
English is so widespread that it has become the standard language for all kinds of international communication. At present, 75% of the world's mail is in English, 60% of the world's telephone calls are made in English, 60% of the world’s radio stations broadcast in English and more than half of the world’s periodicals are printed in English.
English is also the international language of businesspeople, pilots and air traffic controllers/diplomats and politicians, sports-people, scientists, doctors and students. Beyond a doubt, English is now the world’s top tongue.