People need to learn and master the English language because they need to be able to speak, read, write and listen accurately. They need to be able to listen to orders, requests, instructions and lectures correctly. They also need a good knowledge of the English language so that they can understand what is said to them and produce accurate responses, communications, orders, and requests. I postulate that people have to learn, master and become proficient in the English language for use in their respective occupational backgrounds. As such, in order to be able to read, write, speak and listen in English they need to master two aspects of the English language. They are; English grammar and Lexis. Grammar is the skeleton of the English language. Grammar consists of the rules of a language and teaches a user of the language how to make sentences correctly and gives rules to follow so that there are no errors made in communication. English grammar provides a structure for us to follow so that we do not make errors in communication. Lexis is the body of words, phrases, idioms, expressions, phrasal verbs and collocations that constitute the language. They are the words that speakers of English use in daily communication. There are four groups of people who need to know the English language well; students, working people, laypersons and immigrants.
Firstly, the first group of people who must know the English language well are students. Students who wish to enter university courses in many countries are required to know English well and any universities have made English mandatory for their students. This is so that these students are equipped with a good working knowledge of the English language and will then be able to undertake their studies in the English medium of instruction. Many universities around the world have specialized examinations, such as the British IELTS and the American TOEFFEL, to test their students standard of English before they can be admitted into the university, With English as an international language more and more countries will demand an excellent knowledge of English as part of the entry requirements for study at their universities. If students with a poor command of grammar enter a university they will encounter great difficulties in their studies. How are they going to answer complex questions and write good essays and thesis? Language is not just used for writing, speaking, listening and reading but is also used for thinking. Students will need to analyze, collate and marshal their ideas before answering complex questions or write essays, thesis and dissertations. In order to write, speak, listen or read in English one must know to use the language well and only when one can do that can one use the English language to produce written and spoken work and is able to read and listen and understand well. There are also a growing number of countries, where English is not a native language, which now require their students learn to English as a second language. These countries recognize English as a second language and that it will be an asset to their students to know it well. As such the student in these countries will need to learn English if they are to pursue their studies.
Secondly, the next group of people who will need to have a good command of the English language are working people. Whether they are in the private sector or in the public sector there will be a need for an excellent knowledge of English. The staff of companies and government departments needs to communicate within a country as well as abroad. The staff of various government departments may have to liaise or contact their counterparts in another country’s ministries or departments. When they do so, often it will be in English. In order to communicate effectively they will need to know English well in order to do so. For example, a group of civil service officers who want to negotiate a trade agreement with another country and the other nation does not know their native language then they will need to use English to communicate effectively. This will also be the case if they are dealing with an international organization such as the World trade Organization, they will need to know English as it is the language used by that international body. English is now the de-facto language used by various international organizations such as; the United Nations, European Union, NATO, OPEC and Amnesty International. In the case of the private sector too there will be a need to know English well in order to compete in the global economy. How is an accountant to produce a financial report without using proper grammar? If an accountant makes grammatical mistakes there will be confusion and embarrassment for such a highly educated person in whom others will have the expectations that he can read, write and speak properly in English. How is a medical doctor going to produce a medical report conveying vital information that will help his patient who is going to another country to get further help which he cannot get at home? An engineer working on a difficult project must be able to present the complexities of an engineering challenge accurately to an engineering team comprising of engineers of many different nationalities? People who work in the media industry too need to have an excellent command of the English language. Journalists, news presenters and editors need to know the English language well so to give news or write articles well with excellent delivery and pronunciation.
Thirdly, the next group of people who need to have an excellent knowledge of the English language are laypersons who listen to or view English news broadcasts, and those who read English language books and periodicals. This group of people must have a good command of the English language in order to comprehend well whatever they view, read or listen to in English. There are a growing number of books and periodicals produced in the English language and there is a growing volume of books and magazines printed in English given an ever growing number of people who want to read in English for pleasure, information and to improve their skills in English.
Lastly, another group of people who require an excellent knowledge of the English language are immigrants to an English speaking country. They will need to obtain an excellent command of English grammar fast so that they can get employment and show that they are willing to integrate into their new society. A new immigrant must learn English grammar as it not only shows their willingness to learn the language but it also is a source of pride and prestige for an immigrant. It shows that they have mastered the language and can use it well. It also shows that they were willing to make the effort to learn and master the English language. An immigrant who fails to do so will be seen as unwilling to fit in to society and can be deemed as being lazy or arrogant. Besides that ignorance of the local language will cause antagonism towards immigrants from anti-immigrant groups.
In conclusion, we see that the need to have an excellent knowledge of the English language is essential for the purpose of good communication and students, working people and immigrants must learn it well. The need for mastery of the English language is due to the ability to communicate accurately and effectively. Student and working people must be able to think in the language in order to write, think, speak and listen. Immigrants need to be able to find work and integrate well into a new society.
A total of 1,275 words; excluding the title and story board.
Story board.
- Introduction.
- Why the need to master English Grammar.
- The need to do so among students.
- The need to do so among working people.
- The need to do so among immigrants.
- Conclusion.
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