ELEC 125 EE English Speaking Countries - Teacher\'s Copy

I. Reading: English Speaking Countries

map of English Speaking countries and territories around the world

The Global Perspective

English is far more worldwide in its distribution than all other spoken languages. It is an official language in 52 countries as well as many small colonies and territories. In addition, 1/4 to 1/3 of the people in the world understand and speak English to some degree. It has become the most useful language to learn for international travel and is now the de facto language of diplomacy. In 2001, the 189 member countries in the United Nations were asked what language they wish to use for communication with embassies from other countries. More than 120 chose English, 40 selected French, and 20 wanted to use Spanish. Those who wanted English to be the common language included all of the former Soviet republics, Viet Nam, and most of the Arab world. English is also the dominant language in electronic communication, particularly on the Internet. However, the percentage of Internet users who are not native English speakers is increasing rapidly, especially in Asia. In fact, China estimated in 2008 that there are now more people who have online access in their country than in the U.S., which had been the global leader in Internet access.

In reality, the distribution of languages globally is very complex and difficult to easily describe. Numerous migrations of people over the last several centuries have resulted in most large nations now having many different languages. There are at least 165 languages spoken in the United States today. Consequently, it is somewhat misleading to describe the U.S. as being an English speaking country. The same caution applies to other multicultural nations as well.

There are about sixty countries in the world that legally use English as a national language, and three nations that do not have laws making English the national language but in fact most widely use it: The United States, The United Kingdom, and Australia.

The United States

Geographic Size: 9,826,675 km²

Population: 315,000,000 Americans

Currency: US dollar ($/USD)

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): +$48,000

Average Household Income: +$50,000

Political System: two-party republican system with general elections

The United States of America is one of the largest countries in the world based on both population and land area. It has a relatively short history compared to other world nations, has one of the world's largest economies, and has one of the world's most diverse populations. As such, the United States is highly influential internationally.

The United Kingdom

Geographic Size: 243,610 km²

Population: 62,000,000

Currency: Pound Sterling/British pound (UK£/GBP)

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): -$37,000 (in USD)

Average Household Income: +$41,000 (in USD)

Political System: constitutional monarchy within the authority of a

parliament chosen by general election

England is a part of Europe's United Kingdom and it is located on the island of Great Britain. It is not considered a separate nation, but it is an independent country within the UK. It is bordered by Scotland to the north and Wales to the west - both of which are also regions within the UK. England has coastlines along Celtic, North and Irish Seas and the English Channel and its area includes over 100 small islands.

Australia

Geographic Size: 7,617,930 km²

Population: 23,000,000 Australians

Currency: Australian dollar ($/AUD)

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): +$66,000 (in USD)

Average Household Income: -$44,000 (in USD)

Political System: federal parliamentary system chosen by general election

with a constitutional monarchy

Some call it the big island. It is, of course, Australia, the world's smallest continent with an area of less than 7.7 million square kilometres.

Australia lies between the Indian and Pacific Oceans southeast of Asia (the world's largest continent) and south of the equator. Because of its geographical location on the globe, it is commonly referred to as the land Down Under.

II. Vocabulary & Definitions

distribution
the act of distributing or spreading or apportioning

EXAMPLE SENTENCE:
English is far more worldwide in its distribution than all other spoken languages.
territory
a region marked off for administrative or other purposes

EXAMPLE SENTENCE:
It is an official language in 52 countries as well as many small colonies and territories.
de facto
existing in fact whether with lawful authority or not

EXAMPLE SENTENCE:
It has become the most useful language to learn for international travel and is now the de facto language of diplomacy.
select
pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

EXAMPLE SENTENCE:
More than 120 chose English, 40 selected French, and 20 wanted to use Spanish.
particularly
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

EXAMPLE SENTENCE:
English is also the dominant language in electronic communication, particularly on the Internet.
percentage
a proportion in relation to a whole (which is usually the amount per hundred)

EXAMPLE SENTENCE:
However, the percentage of Internet users who are not native English speakers is increasing rapidly, especially in Asia.
estimate
judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time)

EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

In fact, China estimated in 2008 that there are now more people who have online access in their country than in the U.S., which had been the global leader in Internet access.
access
the right to enter

EXAMPLE SENTENCE:
He phoned the company after he wasn't able to access their website on the Internet.
reality
the state of being actual or real

EXAMPLE SENTENCE:
In reality, the distribution of languages globally is very complex and difficult to easily describe.
numerous
amounting to a large indefinite number

EXAMPLE SENTENCE:
Numerous migrations of people over the last several centuries have resulted in most large nations now having many different languages.
migration
the movement of persons from one country or locality to another

EXAMPLE SENTENCE:
Human migration over long distances is as old as mankind.
mislead
lead someone in the wrong direction or give someone wrong directions

EXAMPLE SENTENCE:
Consequently, it is somewhat misleading to describe the U.S. as being an English speaking country.
apply
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

EXAMPLE SENTENCE:
The same caution applies to other multicultural nations as well.
average
an intermediate scale value regarded as normal or usual

EXAMPLE SENTENCE:
The average American family has three televisions.
income
the financial gain (earned or unearned) accruing over a given period of time

EXAMPLE SENTENCE:
Average household income in the US is over $50,000.
independent
free from external control and constraint

EXAMPLE SENTENCE:
It is not considered a separate nation, but it is an independent country within the UK.
border
the boundary of a surface

EXAMPLE SENTENCE:
It is bordered by Scotland to the north and Wales to the west - both of which are also regions within the UK.
federal
characterized by or constituting a form of government in which power is divided between one central and several regional authorities

EXAMPLE SENTENCE:
The federal government is the national government of a country.
continent
one of the large landmasses of the earth

EXAMPLE SENTENCE:
It is, of course, Australia, the world's smallest continent with an area of less than 7.7 million square kilometres.
location
the act of putting something in a certain place

EXAMPLE SENTENCE:
Because of its geographical location on the globe, it is commonly referred to as the land Down Under.

III. Exercise: Match the Definitions

       Use: access, de facto, numerous, particularly & percentage

1. ________________: to a distinctly greater extent or degree than

    is common

    (particularly)

2. ________________:  amounting to a large indefinite number

      (numerous)

3. ________________: the right to enter

     (access)

4. ________________: a proportion in relation to a whole (which is

    usually the amount per hundred)

     (percentage)

5. ________________: existing in fact whether with lawful

    authority or not

    (de facto)

IV. Exercise: Fill in the Gaps/Blanks

Use the following words: average, distribution, income, independent, location, misleading, reality & selected



1. Consequently, it is somewhat  ______________________ to describe

    the U.S. as being an English speaking country.

    (misleading)

2.  It is not considered a separate nation, but it is an __________________________________

  country within the UK.

(independent)

3. More than 120 chose English, 40 _______________ French, and 20

    wanted to use Spanish.

    (selected)

4. Because of its geographical __________________ on the globe, it is

    commonly referred to as the land Down Under.

     (location)

5. English is far more worldwide in its __________________________

    than all other spoken languages.

     (distribution)

6. The __________________ American family has three televisions.

(average)

7. Average household __________________ in the US is over $50,000.

(income)

8. In __________________, the distribution of languages globally is

    very complex and difficult to easily describe.

    (reality)