1. Why do you think English has become a ‘lingua franca’ for people around the world?
What happens when you experience a language barrier? Do you think these will exist in the future?
Think of three ways you can improve your command of a language.

3. You will hear actor Stephen Fry interviewing Dr
You will hear actor Stephen Fry interviewing Dr. David Crystal, a noted linguist.
Listen and make notes. Which of these topics do they discuss?
Culture and identity
Local languages
Changes in pronunciation
English as a Second or Foreign Language
Language and computers

4. Dr. Crystal talks about different ‘Englishes’ -- British, American, Australian, South African, Indian, and Caribbean, as well as ___________,
______________, and ___________.
2. Different countries have adapted English to ________________.
3. Over _________ countries have developed their own local ‘brand’ of English.
4. Around six hundred years ago there were around _______ speakers of English.
5. Around the world, __________ of the world’s population speaks English as a second or foreign language.

5. a part of a sentence that contains a subject and a verb
CONCESSION CLAUSES
Used to introduce clauses with information that contradicts the main clause of a sentence
Hold on...what's a 'clause'?
a part of a sentence that contains a subject and a verb

6. (AL)THOUGH, EVEN THOUGH, etc
Concession clauses can be introduced with conjunctions such as although, even though, etc.
Although he was a skilled linguist, he took five years to learn Mandarin.
(Even) though I'd like to be with you, I have a meeting to attend.

7. WHILE, WHILST
We can also use while (or whilst, formally) to replace though, although, etc.
Whilst he was a skilled linguist, he took five years to learn Mandarin.
While I'd like to be with you, I have a meeting to attend.

8. Much as + (like, love, hate, adore, etc
Another option is to use much as to replace though, although, etc. with like/hate verbs.
Much as we appreciate we efforts, sadly we won't be able to use the report.
Much as I despise Cristiano Ronaldo, you have to admit he's an extremely talented footballer.

9. "Strange as it may seem..."
Use adjective/adverb + as/though + subject + verb clause for emphatic sentences.
Hard as we tried, we failed to get hold of anybody.
Difficult though it was, we eventually secured the premises.

10. Whatever, wherever, however
Use however/whatever/wherever, etc. to express the idea of "regardless of" or "no matter how/what/where" etc.
Whatever he says, I'm going anyway.
*However you look at it, we're screwed...
*(slightly different from your typical 'however')

11. Adverbs (however, nevertheless).
We can use adverbs and adverbial phrases to introduce contrast.
We were exhausted. Nevertheless, we carried on.
We were exhausted but we carried on all the same.

12. Despite doing no marketing, their products sell well.
ALTHOUGH
_____________________, their products sell well.
2. Even though he had a perfect alibi, he was arrested.
SPITE
_____________________, he was arrested.
3. Although they don’t have a burglar alarm they’ve never been burgled.
DESPITE
__________________________, they’ve never been burgled.

13. 4. In spite of being the market leader, their company went bankrupt
4. In spite of being the market leader, their company went bankrupt. EVEN _____________________, their company went bankrupt. 5. Even though I was late, the boss wasn’t angry. FACT _____________________, the boss wan’t angry. 3. Despite being managing director, he bikes to work. NEVERTHELESS He’s the managing director. ____________________.

14. Discuss in groups. Do you agree or disagree?
Difficult though it may be for students, in the future many school and university subjects are likely to be taught in English, using English materials.

15. Discuss in groups. Do you agree or disagree?
In spite of increasing numbers of English speakers, the global predominance of English is likely to change.

16. Discuss in groups. Do you agree or disagree?
Despite being able to use simultaneous translation on their phones to speak to each other, there will always be people who want to learn another language.

17. Discuss in groups. Do you agree or disagree?
Whichever way you look at it, children need to start learning English when they are as young as possible.