英語最初在英格蘭發展成印歐語系語言之一，但經過大英帝國在歷史的軌跡，致使英語成為許多曾經的英國殖民地，如美國、新加波、加拿大、澳大利亞等的主要或次要語言。而今，英語已是67個國家的官方語言及27個地區的次要官方語言。
根據統計，在全球15億的英語使用人口中，就有超過11億是非母語人士。有許多的因素致使英語在人們的當前生活中必不可少，即使對於那些不使用英語作為主要語言的人，英語也是多種文化中非常普遍的第二語言。這意味著，來自不同國家的兩個人，如墨西哥人和印尼人，通常使用英語作為通用語言進行交流。
如今，網絡已為人們打開了世界的大門，而英語就是它的語言。英語和全球化兩者其實是相輔相成的。加州大學教育學家教授華邵爾指出：「全球通用語的出現，促成全球化的發展；另一方面，全球化的發展也鞏固了全球通用語的地位。」
根據英國文化協會的報告指出，全世界有80%以上的電子化資料是英語，而且66%的科學家習慣以英語閱讀。英語是網絡時代吸收知識的關鍵能力，英語能力將決定人們擷取知識的深度和廣度。在這情況下，掌握英語儼然成了新時代的基本能力。那麼，英語具體而言有多重要呢？
英語是學術界的語言
如今，越來越多非英語系國家都將英語教育當作教育改革的首要目標之一。為了鼓勵英語的使用，許多國家，如日本、南韓都推行了重大行動計劃，它們引進外籍教師，並加強本地教師培育。同時，英語教學的目的，也從原先強調文法與翻譯的學術工具語言，轉變為強調溝通的工具與商業語言。
英語通常被認為是高等教育的語言。世界上許多頂尖的大學都是提倡英語的學校。由於英語是科學、醫學、工程學等其他領域的主要語言，因此人們會發現有許多最新的研究論文、報告都是以英語撰寫。在大學階段，也越來越多教授提倡使用英語原文書來學習學科，以確保學生能迅速接軌國際，及時更新最新的學科知識。當然人們可以藉由翻譯文本學習學科，但並非每一個版本的翻譯都能精確地抓住學科的知識要點，甚至有可能誤解作者的原意，因而傳達錯誤的訊息。
英語獲得網絡媒體與傳統媒體的青睞
在這時代中，數以萬計的問題或資訊，例如新聞資訊、娛樂資訊、名人論壇等，都能夠輕易地通過網絡尋找答案。然而正如前面所提，全球有80%的電子化資料是由英語所寫，假使人們只懂得運用一種語言進行搜索，得到的答案必然會受到局限，甚至過於片面，進而對事實產生錯誤的解讀。更重要的是，許多第一手資訊是由英語所寫，只要精通英語，就能夠迅速掌握最新資訊，立即與世界接軌，從而避免被錯誤翻譯、解讀的二手資訊誤導。
用英語寫的報紙或書籍比其他語言都多，基本上，無論我們身在何處，都能夠找到英語書籍或報紙。實際上，正因為英語在國際交流中佔據主導位置，人們只要學會英語，便能夠獲取相關關於每個主題的更多信息，比如國際局勢、教育觀點、金融領域等。
英語是國際交流的語言
能以英語交流，有助於人們在國際間暢行無阻，因為英語是國際通用的語言，所以了解英語可以輕鬆地在世界各地獲得幫助。縱使現在無法輕易出國，在視訊會議軟體、通訊軟體、網絡論壇、影視軟體盛行的現在，英語一樣是幫助人們穿行國際的利器、英語一樣幫助人們與不同文化疆域的人們連接在一起。透過共同語言表達想法、交換想法，這將拓展自己的眼界、激盪自己的思維。
英語是商務的語言
英語可以幫助人們選擇從事任何商業活動。世界各地許多公司都具有國際影響力，或者正嘗試在全球範圍擴張。這使得英語作為通用語的必要性變得更重要。
而今在許多行業中，例如金融、酒店管理、銀行、法律、旅遊等，良好的英語水平是招聘過程中最基本的要求，亦是尋求晉升的其中一項重要的考核，因此精通英語意味自己將領先於其他候選人，同時也是為自己擴充職業選擇，比如可以選擇到外商公司接受挑戰。
再者，國際商務需要與來自不同文化背景的人們交流，而英語正是彌合文化鴻溝的關鍵。當人們懂得說英語，就會提高文化的敏感性，這樣便能加深人們對自己的同事和客戶的了解。對於企業老闆、經理人而言，英語可以協助他們將產品及服務銷售到其他國家，拓展自己的企業宏圖。在國際市場中，用流利的英語報價、談判，能夠讓客戶更快地理解自己，使得交易的效率更為迅速。
Walker Digital創始人傑•沃克說過：「全球英語熱的背後，一言以蔽之，都是為了機會，這包括了過更好的生活、擴展工作的機會、能支付學費、享用較好的飲食等。」
無論如何，世界地理版圖的界限在現今已是越來越模糊，學會英語將有助人們在這樣的世界中開啟機會的大門，隨時與國際接軌。透過英語，人們將可以輕易地與不同國家的人建立聯繫、了解知識領域的第一手資料、俯視世界變化的局勢等，成為永遠走在世界變化前端的新人類。
English originated as one of the Indo-European languages in England, but under the historical trajectory of the British Empire, it spread to become the main or secondary language of many former British colonies, such as the United States, Singapore, Canada, Australia, and more. Today, English is the official language in 67 countries and the secondary official language in 27 regions.
According to statistics, among the 1.5 billion population of English speakers in the world, over 1.1 billion are non-native speakers. Numerous factors have made English essential in modern life. Even though, for many people, English isn’t used as their primary language, it’s very common as the secondary language in different cultures. This means that two people from different countries, like a Mexican and an Indonesian, often use English as a common language to communicate with.
Nowadays, the internet has opened up the world and English is its language. English and globalization both complement each other. Professor Hua-Shao Er of the University of California pointed out: The emergence of a global lingua franca has fueled globalization; on the other hand, The emergence of a global lingua franca has fueled globalization; conversely, globalization has solidified the position of the global lingua franca.
According to a report from the British Council, over 80% of electronic information worldwide is in English and over 66% scientists prefer reading in English. English is a key skill to absorb information in the digital era. English abilities will determine the depth and breadth of knowledge one can access. With this context, mastering English has become the fundamental ability to have in this modern world. So, just how important is English?
English is the Language of Academia
Nowadays, more and more non-English speaking countries are reforming their education to include English education as one of the primary goals. To encourage usage of the English language, countries, like Japan and South Korea, have carried out major initiatives, bringing in foreign teachers and strengthening the training of local teachers. At the same time, the purpose of English education has shifted from its original emphasis on academic grammar and translation to communication and business language skills.
English is often regarded as the language of higher education. Many of the top universities in the world are institutions that advocate English-speaking. Since English is the primary language of science, medicine, engineering, and other fields, many of the latest research papers and reports are written in English. In university, more and more professors promote using English textbooks, to ensure that students can quickly adapt to the international environment, staying updated with the newest knowledge. Of course, one can learn from translated texts, but not every translation edition can grasp the main points of the subjects accurately. There is a possibility of misunderstanding the original author’s intention, consequently conveying the wrong information.
English Dominates Both Digital and Traditional Media
In this day and age, countless questions or pieces of information, like the latest news, entertainment, or celebrity forums, all can easily be answered or found on the internet. As mentioned above, 80% of digital information worldwide is written in English. If someone only understands one language when searching, the answers found are inevitably limited and possibly biased, leading to misrepresentations of facts. More importantly, most first-hand information is written in English, so only by being proficient in English can one quickly grasp the latest information and directly connect with the world, thus avoiding inaccurate or misinterpreted secondhand translations.
There are more newspapers or literature written in English than in any other languages. Essentially,wherever we are, we can always find English newspapers or literature. In reality, because English dominates international communication, one only needs to master English to access more relevant information on any topic, for example: international affairs, educational perspectives, finance, etc.
English is the Language of International Communication
Having English-speaking ability can help ensure smooth communication internationally, because English is the language of international communication, understanding English means being able to receive help anywhere in the world. Although it’s hard to go abroad now, with the rise of video conferencing, communication softwares, online forums, and media platforms, English remains as a powerful tool that connects people across different cultures. Through a common language, people can express ideas and exchange thoughts to expand one’s outlook and stimulate thinking.
English is the Language of Business
English can help people engage in any business activity. Many companies worldwide have international influence, or are trying to expand their scope globally, which makes English as a common language more important.
Nowadays, in many industries, such as finance, hospitality, banking, law, and tourism, a good level of English ability is a basic requirement in recruitment and also a key assessment for those who seek career promotions. English proficiency puts one ahead of the other candidates, also expanding one’s career options, such as being able to challenge job-seeking opportunities in international companies.
Furthermore, international businesses require communication with people from different backgrounds and cultures, and English is the key to bridging the gap between cultures. Speaking English can also increase cultural awareness, deepening their understanding of colleagues and clients. In the eyes of business owners and managers, English can help them sell their products and services internationally, expanding their own business plan. In the international market, using fluent English to quote prices and negotiate can help clients understand more quickly, thus transactions can be conducted efficiently.
Jay Walker, founder of Walker Digital, once said: Behind the global craze for English is in a single word: opportunity. Opportunity for a better life, a job, to be able to pay for school, or put better food on the table.
In any case, the geographical borders of the world are getting increasingly blurred. Learning English will help open the doors of opportunity and connect the international community. Through English, people can easily build connections with others from different countries, access first-hand knowledge, stay ahead of global trends, becoming the new generation that is always at the forefront of the world’s evolution.