Learn About English
English • 1.5 billion speakers worldwide
"Hello, how are you?"
Pronunciation: HEL-loh, how ar yoo?
Translation: Hello, how are you?
Speakers
1.5 billion
Language Family
Indo-European (Germanic)
Writing System
Latin script
Official Status
Official or de facto language in 60+ countries
Regions (10 countries)
English evolved from Old English, influenced by Norse and Norman French. Modern English developed through the Middle Ages into Early Modern English and standardized in the 18th century. It is now a global lingua franca.
Subject-Verb-Object word order
Use of auxiliary verbs
Relatively simple noun gender system (no grammatical gender)
Extensive vocabulary from Latin, French, Germanic roots
Stress-timed rhythm
American English
British English
Australian English
Canadian English
Indian English
Focus on listening and speaking for fluency
Learn phrasal verbs and idioms
Practice reading newspapers and books
Use apps to expand vocabulary
Immerse yourself with English media
English-speaking cultures emphasize politeness and directness
Various English dialects have unique pronunciations and vocabulary
English literature is globally influential
Sports, films, and music are integral cultural exports
English is the most widely learned second language worldwide
It has more non-native speakers than native speakers
Shakespeare contributed thousands of words and phrases
English is the dominant language of science, aviation, and the internet