Page 3: Employability Skills and English as a Lingua Franca
This page focuses on essential employability skills and the role of English as a lingua franca, which are crucial topics for Was kommt alles im Englischen Abi dran?. It lists key employability skills that are valued in the global job market, including communication, problem-solving, technology proficiency, teamwork, self-management, honesty, enthusiasm, and adaptability.
The page then explores the concept of English as a lingua franca, providing statistics on English speakers worldwide:
- Approximately 400 million people speak English as their mother tongue
- Between 350 million to 1 billion people speak English as a second language
Vocabulary: Lingua franca refers to a common language used for communication between people whose native languages are different.
The document discusses the historical context of English as a lingua franca, mentioning its roots in former British colonies and how different varieties of English developed in these regions. It also highlights the current status of English:
- English has official status in about 80 countries
- It is a key qualification for many jobs
- English as a foreign language is required within education in the EU
Highlight: Some linguists believe that globalization may lead to English replacing other European languages in certain contexts.
The page concludes by presenting pros and cons of the widespread use of English as a lingua franca, touching on concepts such as linguistic imperialism and the importance of openness to new ideas and cultural changes in a globalized world.
