British Council Malaysia - PDP 4 ELT - B2 - Selangor 14

1. THE FUTURE OF ENGLISH
BY DAVID GRADDOL
British Council Malaysia
PDP 4 ELT
B2 – Selangor 14

2. WHO SPEAKS ENGLISH?

6. WHAT PREDICTIONS DO YOU THINK DAVID
GRADDOL MADE ABOUT THEM?
Native English speakers... People who speak English and no other language… People who don’t
speak English…
 Syazana: my first assumption is that native English speakers will never experience difficulties in
communication while traveling all the world or to stay in the major cities around here as
English nowadays has become a global language. I think it will be their advantage. But
based on David's prediction, native English speakers will have a lot disadvantages in the
economy and rise of capital competition in the world at large.
 Mazniza: No doubts English is increasing rapidly around the globe. But as for me, it doesn't
mean that if a person doesn't know the English Language he/she cannot survive.
 Khamisah: my first assumption is that native speakers of English are or will soon be
outnumbered by those who speak English as a second or foreign language. I think that there
will be possible a long-term impact on the English language of developments in
communication technology, growing economic globalization and major demographic shifts
at the end of the twentieth century and beyond. It uses existing linguistic research as a basis
for examining new trends in globalization, popular culture and economic development and
these will affect the future use of English, I guess.

7. EDUCATION AND TRAINING

10. English teachers...
 Elizebeth: It is interesting to know that besides native English language speakers there are non-
natives who are teachers of the language all over the world. The training and performance
of these non-native teachers of the language are coming into scrutiny of late in some
countries. It is indeed a good move for the British Council to keep the standards of the
language from declining in various parts of the world. If this yardstick is not used the
possibilities of a variety in English Language may develop: pronunciation, spelling and
structure. I strongly believe besides the pedagogy, methodology and paper qualifications,
English Language teachers should have a good command of the language before walking
into a classroom to teach.
 Khamisah: Concerning English, as one of the core subject taught in Malaysian schools, I think
measures will be taken by the government to upgrade the education system as the whole as
to encourage the mastery of English among students and teachers. Imposing the compulsory
passing of English in the exam call SPM or Malaysia Education Certificate and a pre-requisite
achievement of at least Band 3 in MUET (Malaysian University English Test) has driven students’
and teachers' particular attention towards acquiring competence of English.
 Gunadevi: In this country, the future of English lies in the hands of teachers. The teachers who
are teaching the subject must use English in class. This is very important because it allows
students to learn more. This can be proven by teachers from England because they use the
language to the maximum. Hence, the future of English truly lies in the hands of English
teachers.
WHAT PREDICTIONS DO YOU THINK DAVID
GRADDOL MADE ABOUT THEM?

11. English in schools...
 Juzaila: I think that he predicts that English will be increasingly important
especially in schools and higher institutions. Some governments may change
their policy so that English will become a very important and a passing
subject to enter University and to apply for jobs.
 Syazana: So English will become part of our basic education to students. In
Malaysia, the future of English will be improved then as if the government
impose English as the compulsory subject to be passed in the exam,
perhaps. If we look at the bright side, it will benefit the students to speak a
second or a third language.
 Mazniza: English language is very important in schools. Students should learn
a second language for their general knowledge. It is vital for their holistic
development. Mandarin, Chinese and Spanish should also be taught in
school. As we know, one can learn best at an early age, so do not miss the
chance.
WHAT PREDICTIONS DO YOU THINK DAVID
GRADDOL MADE ABOUT THEM?

12. FUTUROLOGY

13. THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY

15. Technology & English...
 Fadziana: Recently, the spread of English has been a remarkable
phenomenon. This will give rise to new vocabularies, grammatical
forms and ways of speaking and writing. Technology, especially
the internet, also plays a vital role and has a great impact in the
future of English.
WHAT PREDICTIONS DO YOU THINK DAVID
GRADDOL MADE ABOUT THEM?

16. YOUTH CULTURE

18. English in India, China, and Malaysia...
 Fadziana: I also believe that the number of English speakers will
also increase in our country in the future.
WHAT PREDICTIONS DO YOU THINK DAVID
GRADDOL MADE ABOUT THEM?

19. PREDICTIONS
Were you able to guess some of
David Graddol’s predictions?

20. REFERENCE
 Graddol, David. (1997). The future of English. The British Council.
Available at http://www.britishcouncil.org/learning-elt-future.pdf