English is one of the most used languages all over the world, which is why it is important for an individual to learn it. Even here in Saudi Arabia, people of different nationalities find English convenient to use in business and in private conversation. Many people try to learn English because it is a universal language that can be understood in different parts of the globe. My home country, the Philippines, is one of the countries that recognize English as an important and useful tool of communication. The language is used in official documents in the government and in private offices. It is the medium of instruction in schools and many people, particularly those who are educated, use English in their conversation. It is common to hear a Filipino speak Taglish - a hybrid of Tagalog and English - in everyday conversation. The Philippines, which was once a colony of the United States, encourages students to be proficient in English to give them an advantage in finding a good job at home or in other countries, particularly in this age of globalization. Another country I know that uses English as a medium of instruction in schools is India. Being a former colony of Great Britain, it adopts British English as a second language widely used across the subcontinent in the same way that the Philippines adopts American English as its second language across the archipelago where more than a dozen different dialects are spoken. Thus, it is no wonder that many people from both countries are proficient in English. Because English is taught as a medium of instruction in schools in these countries, even those who have not finished college can speak understandable English. Both countries have also produced writers who are proficient in the English language. Many Asian students, like South Koreans, study in the Philippines to learn the English language. The country is known to have lower tuition fees for students who want to learn English and yet the teachers are highly proficient. The Philippines has realized that an individual becomes more competitive in the global labor market if he or she is proficient in English. And it is true. Filipinos don't find it hard to communicate with other nationals here in Saudi Arabia or in any other country as long as both sides understand and speak English. In international competitions, Filipino contestants don't need translators because they can express their thoughts in English. I think that gives them an advantage. An individual who is proficient in English has an advantage in achieving success whether in the global labor market or in the world of business because the language is used in almost all parts of the world. In applying for a job outside one's country or transacting business in the world market, it is most likely that English will be the medium of communication. Those proficient in English can communicate what they mean with less chance of being misunderstood. English is commonly used in teaching such subjects as mathematics and science. In fact, the terms used in these fields of study are mostly in English. Even scholars find it difficult to translate many technical English terms used in these subjects into the mother tongue of a non-English speaking country. In the Philippines, for instance, the technical words when translated remain the same with only the spelling being changed. That's also true in some other Asian countries which my family and I have visited on trips during our annual vacations. Just like in the Philippines, these countries have technical English terms displayed on public billboards which are spelled in the vernacular. I think Saudi Arabia has also recognized the importance of the English language as a convenient tool for communication. In Jeddah and across the country, you will find institutes of learning that teach English. Many Saudis, particularly those who have not gone to the United States, Britain or any other country where English is taught or used in communication, are the ones who avail themselves of these facilities. They recognize that it is easier to find a good job if one is proficient in English. Many companies in this country, particularly those that deal with the general public, hire Saudis who can understand and speak fluent English, particularly in jobs that are concerned with expatriates. And rightly so! A salesman who is proficient in English has a better chance of selling his wares to members of the expatriate communities in the Kingdom. There is also less misunderstanding if receptionists in hospitals speak English. Learning English does not mean that you have abandoned your national identity. While nationalism is needed to preserve national identify and foster a nation's unity, learning English or any other widely used language will give a country an advantage in many fields. It also makes people coming from different countries more likely to understand one another, especially here in Saudi Arabia. A language expresses the culture of a people. When people across the world understand one another, including their cultural differences, there is a greater chance for the world to live in peace and harmony. It's nice to learn German, French, Nordic languages, Tagalog or Urdu. But as of now, English appears to be the most widely used language in the world. Maria Angeline Mayor Jeddah
- The author is a fourth-year high school student at the Pearl of the Orient International School (Durat Al-Sharq International School) in Jeddah.
