English has become the dominant international language due to the spread of American popular culture and its role in global business. While English helps different groups communicate, it is quite complex and brings American cultural influences. Scientists created the artificial language Esperanto as a neutral option, but it never caught on widely. In the future, Chinese may become the predominant global language as more people speak it than any other.

1. English Around the World<br /> Vocabulary travel bug (idiom)- strong desire to travel to be bitten by the travel bug (idiom)- kind of a cute way to say when someone begins to want to travel. After the \"
bug\"
bites you, you will really want to travel. to wander- to go from one place to another without any definite plans to be in the comfort of (one's) own home- to be at home, in a familiar or comfortable place to explore- to look around and find out new things exotic (adjective)- strange, mysterious, exciting, unknown mystery- something unknown, something that needs to be found out to flock- large amounts of people go to the same place at the same time vast (adjective)- very large perspective- view, way of seeing things accomplishment- feeling like you have done something important and good <br />Reading<br />Have you ever had the desire to wander the world and see what was out there? While some people prefer to stay in the comfort of their own home, others have been bitten by the travel bug and can't wait to explore the world. Exotic places call to them. \"
Come visit me and I will show you my mysteries,\"
they say.<br />Every year millions of people pack their suitcases or put on backpacks and flock to visit the seven continents of the world. They wander through the castles and museums of Europe, and the cities and natural wonders of North and South America. Some visit the vast exotic cultures of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The great outback of Australia is a wonderland for those who go there. And a few lucky people even make to the most mysterious continent on the earth- Antarctica.<br />Why do people want to explore the world? It gives them a better perspective about the earth and the people living on it. It opens their minds, it gives them a feeling of accomplishment, and it makes them feel alive. So save some money, get your passport ready, and see the world. It will change your life forever.<br />Questions and Answers<br />Choose True or False. Check your answers at the bottom of the page by clicking on the arrow.<br />right01. To be bitten by the travel bug means you like to stay home.<br /> True False<br />2. People bitten by the travel bug like to visit new places.<br /> True False<br />3. The great outback is in Europe.<br /> True False<br />4. Antarctica is in Africa.<br /> True False<br />5. Asia is vast.<br /> True False<br />6. Traveling opens your mind.<br /> True False<br />7. Traveling makes you feel alive.<br /> True False<br />8. Traveling helps you see things in a new way.<br /> True False<br />St. Valentine's Day<br /> Vocabulary<br />ancient- very old<br />bow and arrow- used for shooting (like the picture on the left)<br />shoot- make something fly through the air (Shoot a gun. Shoot an arrow.)<br />character- a person (but usually not real) like a person in a book or in a movie<br />fall in love- begin to love another person<br />celebrate- do something fun (like a party or something special)<br />romantic- something that shows the feeling of love<br />Reading<br />Valentine's Day is a very old holiday. It goes back to the times of Ancient Rome. One of the characters we often see on Valentine's Day is Cupid. He was the son of Venus, the goddess of love. He shoots people with arrows of love. When a man and a woman are hit by his arrows, they will fall in love.<br />Today people celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14. Men and women who are in love give each other gifts. The most popular gifts include flowers (especially roses) and chocolates. Couples may also go to a restaurant for a very nice dinner or plan something else romantic.<br />In the United States, Valentine's Day is not just for lovers. Children make special Valentine's cards for their classmates. Families and friends may give candy or other small gifts to each other. It can be a fun day.<br />Questions and Answers<br />1. Who is Cupid's mother?<br />a. Sarah, goddess of loveb. Venus, goddess of music c. Venus, goddess of love<br />2. What does Cupid use to shoot people?<br />a. a gun b. a bow and arrow c. a baseball<br />3. What day is Valentine's Day celebrated?<br />a. February 13. b. December 25 c. February 14<br />4. What are the most popular flowers for Valentine's Day?<br />a. Roses b. Tulips c. Sunflowers<br />5. What do school children in the United States do on Valentine's Day?<br />a. Kiss their friendsb. Make cards for their friendsc. Have a romantic dinner with their friends<br />Using an English/English Dictionary<br />Vocabulary<br />wide choice- lots of different ones to choose from bilingual- two languages to be against- disagree with to look up- to search for something in a book Reading<br />Today's English learner has a wide choice of dictionaries in which to choose from. There are dictionaries with American English, with British English, with idioms or slang, and even with pictures. One of the most popular dictionaries I have seen among many students are talking electronic dictionaries. All you have to do is type in a word in your language and you can see it and hear it in English. That's great, right? Well, I think it's great, too... but only sometimes.<br />Bilingual electronic dictionaries are fast and easy. They can be great when you are traveling and need information quickly. But I am against electronic dictionaries and even bilingual paper dictionaries in many cases. Let me explain...<br />When you reach an intermediate level of English (about the level of 5 Minute English) you know enough of the language to ask the meaning of certain things while using English. Translating between languages in your head takes time. You should be translating as little as possible and you should be thinking in English as much as possible. I strongly recommend that intermediate and advanced students use an English-English dictionary made especially for your understanding. For example, Longman has a good dictionary for students. Other companies do, too.<br />I also feel that paper (book) dictionaries are better for studying than electronic dictionaries. True, they take longer to use. But, for some reason, the information you look up seems to stay in your head longer. It may be because you were forced to spell the word in your head and therefore \"
see it\"
more clearly in your mind.<br />So what do you do if you have checked an English-English dictionary and still don't understand something? Go to your bilingual dictionary. It is useful sometimes. Just remember to try to stay in English as much as possible.<br />Questions and Answers<br />Choose True or False. Check your answers by clicking the arrow below.<br />According to the author...1. A very popular dictionary is a talking electronic dictionary.True False<br />2. Electronic dictionaries are great for learning English.True False<br />3. Electronic dictionaries are great for traveling.True False<br />4. Intermediate students of English should use electronic dictionaries as much as possible.True False<br />5. Using a bilingual dictionary forces you to think in English.True False<br />6. You should never use a bilingual dictionary.True False<br />English as an International Language<br />Vocabulary to spread- to go everywhere in common- the same communicate- talk complicated- difficult artificial- not real Reading<br />About one hundred years ago many educated people learned and spoke French when they met people from other countries. Today most people speak English when they meet foreigners. It has become the new international language. There are more people who speak English as a second language than people who speak English as a first language. Why is this?<br />There are many reasons why English has become so popular. One of them is that English has become the language of business. Another important reason is that popular American culture (like movies, music, and McDonald's) has quickly spread throughout the world. It has brought its language with it.<br />Is it good that English has spread to all parts of the world so quickly? I don't know. It's important to have a language that the people of the earth have in common. Our world has become very global and we need to communicate with one another. On the other hand, English is a fairly complicated language to learn and it brings its culture with it. Do we really need that?<br />Scientists have already tried to create an artificial language that isn't too difficult and doesn't include any one group's culture. It is called Esperanto. But it hasn't become popular. But maybe the popularity of English won't last that long either. Who knows? There are more people in the world who speak Chinese than any other language. Maybe someday Chinese will be the new international language.<br />Questions<br />1. What was the world language 100 years ago?<br />2. Which group is larger- people who speak English as a first language or people who speak English as a second language? <br />3. What are two reasons English has become an international language today?<br />4. What are two reasons English isn't a good international language?<br />5. What is Esperanto?<br />What might the future international language be?<br />