English as an Additional Language: Several interesting facts about the English language

According to experts, approximately 400 million individuals speak English as their primary language. When it comes to native speakers, English may already be the third most popular language, after only Chinese and Spanish. When native and non-native speakers are mixed for any language, English as an additional language may be the most spoken language in the world.

What are the various facts about the EAL?

When users of English as a second language are factored in, the number of persons who can speak and understand English is estimated to be between 500 million and 1 billion. Other interesting facts regarding the English language include:

Around 40 countries use English as their primary language. This means it is the first language that people learn, speak, and utilize in practically every area of their everyday lives.

It is an official language in more than 50 countries where English is not widely spoken. This indicates that these countries’ national laws acknowledge English as a method of communication and that there are regulations requiring government entities to utilize English in addition to their native tongue.

The majority of countries with English as their official language also have additional official languages. Almost all of these countries have their primary or dominant language, yet English is nevertheless recognized as one of their official languages.Australia (18.2%), the United States of America (21.8%), and the United Kingdom (8%) are among the countries that have sizeable English as second-language speakers.

English is an official language in less than 30 dependent or non-sovereign countries. 

Even though English is not considered an official language in some nations, it is a required subject at all levels of education. This is true in Malaysia, India, and most other Asian countries.

Most Asian countries speak or comprehend English, even though they are not close neighbours to an English-speaking country, and Asian countries are not geographically close. What made them want to learn English in the first place?

Learning English as a second language is a significant step toward better understanding the world and being understood.