Today’s world has truly become a global village. Owing to remarkable advancements in communication systems and information technology, it has become easier than ever to emerge as global citizens.
This has opened up vast opportunities for people to pursue more advanced and desirable lifestyles. Although language still functions as a barrier, it is possible that in the near future communication-based expression may be achievable even without learning foreign languages.
At present, communication across different languages is possible through various mobile applications, though it is not yet very fluent. In this context, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the need for human interpreters is gradually diminishing.
Nevertheless, to gain knowledge about advanced civilizations and to satisfy the thirst for modern science and learning, proficiency in English remains essential today and will likely continue to be so in the near future.
Even countries such as Germany, which strongly promote the use of their mother tongue in all national spheres, emphasize the importance of learning English from this perspective.
For this reason, the international development organization Good Neighbors Bangladesh has been working across the country through the “National Wordmaster” competition to enhance English language proficiency and reduce students’ fear of English. According to them, there is still no alternative to improving English skills if one is to survive in global competition.
In fact, it is essential to discuss how significant the English language will remain on the international stage three to four decades from now. Although the influence of the Western world is gradually declining and the economic, military, and technological rise of countries such as China and India is evident, English is likely to retain its position on the global stage for several important reasons.
First and foremost, English still dominates a vast repository of knowledge. Its contribution to science, technology, commerce, higher education, and the digital world cannot easily be replaced by any other language.
Research papers, scientific journals, and technological standards are primarily written and published in English. Secondly, although advancements in information technology have improved translation capabilities, proficiency in English is necessary to fully grasp nuanced knowledge, literature, and complex ideas in their original form. Machine translations often fail to convey the exact meaning or cultural nuances of words.
Thirdly, English has long been established as the primary medium of communication in global trade, international diplomacy, and aviation. Therefore, despite China’s economic rise, the dominance of English in the international business environment is unlikely to diminish anytime soon.
Although China’s economic and military rise is significant, the Chinese language, or Mandarin, remains largely confined within China. Even when Chinese technology or products enter international markets, English is often used as the medium for management and communication.
Linguistic experts believe that due to cultural, linguistic, and educational factors, the Chinese language will not be able to replace English in the international arena.
Therefore, to remain competitive globally, we will need to continue learning English for the next four to five decades as well. English is essential for admission to the world’s top universities and for acquiring knowledge. Moreover, proficiency in English is the foremost requirement for employment in multinational companies, participation in international projects, and access to global markets.
English also serves as a bridge in world literature, cinema, and other forms of cultural exchange. In short, in the age of globalization, proficiency in English is essential to becoming a successful global citizen. No matter how much information technology advances, the importance of English for expressing one’s knowledge and intellect on the global stage will continue in the future.
So, emphasizing English education is crucial for national development. To eliminate students’ fear of English, it is necessary to develop high-quality teachers and foster various awareness-building socio-cultural movements related to English learning.
