Unit 2 English around the world

This unit seeks to give us a better understanding of how English developed and how it is spoken in the world.

Which language do you think is. the most widely used language in Which language do you think is the most widely used language in the world? Do you think Chinese can be a world language? Do you know the meaning of “Englishes”?

Which countries do these national flags belong to? Which language is spoken in these countries?

The U.S.A. Australia Singapore Great Britain New Zealand Canada Ireland South Africa India

English is spoken in these countries.

It is the official language of many How much do you know about English? It is the official language of many countries, such as USA, England, Canada, Ireland …. It has a long history. There are two kinds of English: AmE and BrE. Many Chinese are learning English.

______ British English and American English are different in: pronunciation, ______ vocabulary & spelling (e.g. centre/center, colour/color, traveller/traveler).

Chinese BrE AmE lift elevator petrol gas, gasoline flat apartment autumn fall underground subway eraser rubber film movie football soccer holiday vacation fortnight two weeks 电梯 汽油 公寓 秋天 地铁 橡皮 电影 足球 假期 两周

BrE AmE in the street on the street at the weekend on the weekend a quarter past five a quarter after five in a team on a team be different from be different than in the playground on the playground

1. With your partner, list the countries that use English as an official language. 2. Which country do you think has the most English learners? 3. Look at the title of the following passage and guess what it is about. Then read it quickly and see if you are right.

The road to modern English Skimming The road to modern English

Choose the main idea of the text. A. How to learn English well B. The brief history of Modern English C. The way to England D. The difference between Modern English and Old English

Development of English True or False? English had the most speakers in the 17th century.

If an American is talking to an Englishman, _______. A. They will have almost no difficulty in understanding B. They will have a lot of misunderstandings between each other C. The American finds it difficult to understand the Englishman D. The English man finds it difficult to follow the American

Why does English change over time? Read Para 3 and answer the question. Why does English change over time? Because of cultural communication. communication

The history of the English language 1. Shakespeare made use of a wider vocabulary than ever before. AD 450-1150 AD 800-1150 2. English was based more on German. In the 1600s 3. The English language was settled. 4. Some British people were taken to Australia. In 1620 5. English became less like German Because those who ruled England spoke first Danish and later French. Later in the 18th century 1765-1947 6. English is also spoken as a foreign or second language. By the 19th century 7. English became the language for government and education. 8. Some British settlers moved to America. Now

Read Para 4 and find out why India takes English as a second language. was ruled by Britain Do you know any other kinds of English formed for this reason? South African English Singapore English Malaysian English Hong Kong English

Two important persons Samuel Johnson One of the English language’s most profound influences.

When Noah was 43, he started writing the first American dictionary When Noah was 43, he started writing the first American dictionary. He did this because Americans in different parts of the country spelled, pronounced and used words differently. Noah Webster

Decide whether the statement are true (T) or false (F) according to the passage.

2. English developed when new settlers and rulers came to Britain. 3. Languages frequently change. 4. The language of the government is always the language of the country. 5. English is one of the official languages used in India. 6. This reading describes the development of the English language.

Retell the text.

At first, only people in ________ spoke English At first, only people in ________ spoke English. Later, people from England ______ to other parts, so English began to be spoken in _____ _____ _________. Today, _____ people speak English as their _____, second or foreign language. _______ English speakers ____ understand each other but ___ _________. England moved many other countries more first Native can not everything

All languages change when ________ communicate with one another. So there are British English, American English, Australian English and so on. They all have their own _______. English is also spoken as a foreign or second language in _____ _____ _________. Maybe one day Chinese English will become one of the world Englishes. cultures identity many other countries

Why do you think people all over the world want to learn English? Why do you think more people in the world now want to learn Chinese?

Some people say that Chinese is a much more elegant language, so it is more important for us to master it and it is not so necessary to master foreign languages. Do you agree with this opinion and why? Write down your opinion.

Thank you!