About the English language
Frequently-asked questions about the English language are as follows. However, if visitors to this website have further questions, please contact us for further clarifications.
What is the difference between English as a Native Language (ENL) and English as a Foreign Language (EFL)?
There are three types of English: English as a Native Language (ENL), which exists in all 10 English-speaking countries; English as a Second Language (ESL), spoken in the 30 countries of the Commonwealth; and finally English as a Foreign Language (EFL), which is used in the rest of the countries. Speakers of these three distinct types of English cannot be compared. Even among EFL speakers, there are different levels of attainment that vary from country to country, with people in some EFL countries reaching levels higher and faster than in other EFL countries.
How many levels of EFL are there?
Proficiency in EFL (English as a Foreign Language) is measured in levels on a scale of 1 to 8.
In a well-developed curriculum, each level corresponds to 100 hours of tuition (plus an additional 200 hours of home study).
Further information is available on our webpage entitled Examinations.
How long would it take to achieve fluency in EFL?
That depends on one’s definition of fluency. We would define it as the ability to speak or write a language without hesitation or inapproprateness.
English is one of the most difficult languages in which fluency can be achieved. Although its grammar is simpler than that of other languages, different aspects of English (vocabulary, pronunciation, idioms, functions and speech) make it more difficult. English has, for example, the most extensive vocabulary. In some EFL countries, a person is generally viewed as fluent because they have verbal fluency at their given level, but many are unable to write well in English. Therefore, there is a tendency towards communicative courses in such EFL countries, in which the emphasis is on speaking and listening skills, avoiding writing and reading work. This imbalance is evident among non-native EFL students and teachers in such EFL countries.
Each level consists of 100 hours of tuition, therefore if one took lessons 2 hours a week, that level would take 50 weeks. There are 8 levels.
In my country, there are many private schools and teachers of EFL, who claim to have their own miraculous methods. Is that credible?
There is a difference between method and methodology. No one has any proprietary or magical methods. What we know about successful language teaching and learning today has been developed by a large number of intellectuals and researchers over the past 220 years.
So, the reality is that there are no miraculous methods or shortcuts to learning quality English with balanced skills.
Where can I take British international examinations in EFL?
Please refer to our webpage entitled Examinations for detailed information.
Why do some (EFL) countries reach higher levels of proficiency than others?
Our own observation is that national EFL proficiency is determined by three factors:
1. Whether English is considered important by governments
2. Whether governments make English mandatory in primary schools
3. Whether any government provision of EFL is of good quality
In most of the developing world, the existence of the above factors is rare. Parents and students therefore have to resort to private English schools. Regrettably, even in private schools, teachers may not be proficient in EFL beyond level 5 and may not be trained in teaching.
What is the position of Luso-Hispanic countries in global EFL national rankings?
A ranking task may contain assumptions and data which can lead to unreliable results. However, if we exclude countries where English is the native language (ENL) or the second language (ESL), we can make some reliable generalisations about national EFL rankings.
Based on our own data collected over the last 39 years, in the Lusophone world, we would rank Portugal in the top 10 and Brazil in the top 40, with the rest of Portuguese Africa in the top 100.
In relation to Hispanic countries, we would place Spain in the top 25 and Argentina in the top 30, with the rest of the Hispanic world in the top 50.
As a comparison, we would rank the following EFL countries in the top 10: All Scandinavian countries, Austria, Germany and Holland. We would also rank Singapore in or near the top 10.
Duration of each level
There are no miraculous methods or shortcuts.
Each level in EFL comprises 100 hours of classes and 200 hours of self-study. With classes of two hours per week, each level would take 50 weeks to complete. However, upon prior agreement, it may be possible to agree with us, a faster pace of completion of a regular or compacted course. For example:
- 5 hours a week
- 10 hours a week
- 15 hours a week
CHOOSE US
Some facts about the English language:
An estimated 2 billion people using English globally
About 1 billion use English as a Native Language (ENL) or Second Language (ESL) and about another billion use English as a Foreign Language (EFL).
An estimated 1.5 billion learning English globally
About 1,5 billion people are currently learning English at various levels of EFL and ESL.
An estimated 30,000 university programmes outside the ENL countries are taught in English
About 15% of all university programmes taught in English are offered in ESL and EFL countries.
The majority of the 20 best global universities are in ENL countries
Of the 20 best global universities, about 15 are in ENL countries, where the medium of instruction is English.
The official language of 67 countries
English has been selected as the official language by 67 (or about 35%) of countries globally. It is also considered to be the most useful language for international relations and diplomacy.
English is the language chosen for most research publications
Our surveys suggest that most academic researchers from non-ENL countries prefer to publish their research papers in English.
Information stored on computers
About 80% of the information stored on computers globally is in English
Films in the world
About 80% of the films in the world are made in English or available in it
Songs in the world
About 70% of the songs in the world are in English
The most extensive vocabulary
English has the largest vocabulary and consists of more than a million words, with a new word being added approxaimately every two hours
English is an optimistic language
A recent study, which set out to evaluate the emotional significance of English words, found that English was an optimistically-biased language, with a pro-social nature.
With ability in English, the world is your oyster
Travel the world with confidence and make friends with people from other countries
Improve your prospects for work or promotion and keep abreast of developments in information technology
Obtain other perspectives on the arts, culture, entertainment and media
Improve your prospects of university entry and successful conclusion of your studies
Improve the business-travel experience and communicate more efficiently with organisational decision makers from other countries
