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Intermediate

Reading Comprehension Texts

The use of English as a global tongue is booming, and so is concern.

THALWIL, Switzerland – In the tall stucco schoolhouse here its big, airy classrooms and views of Lake Zurich, English has become part of the daily routine.

Students as young as 7 are learning multiplication or discussing the weather in English. In one classroom, lists of songs that the first grade has already mastered include not only local German tunes but “Old Mc Donald” and “How are you this morning?”.

Parents are delighted. “It is something that you need,” said Beatrix Caforeo, whose son, Andrea, goes to the school there. “Everywhere people are speaking Englsih, not just abroad.”

Throughout Europe, English is growing in use and acceptability. Beyond the schoolhouse here, European Universities, particularly in Northern Europe, are giving courses in science, philosophy and business in English. Even some companies like the French telecommunications giant Alcatel –state-owned until 1982- now use English as their internal language.

But the growing use of English is not going down easily everywhere. The Englsih program here has caused an uproar in other parts of the country, where critics have questioned why English should be taught before another one of Switzerland’s four national languages. In many places and in many ways, Europe is debating the growing prominence of English.

Some see it as the language that might bind the Continent together. In one European Union survey, 70 percent of those surveyed agreed with the proposition that “everybody should speak English.” But nearly as many said their own language needed to be protected. Capturing the right balance is a subject of debate.

QUESTIONS

1. Read each definition below and choose the word from the list that matches the definition (2 points).

2. Answer the following questions according to the text. Try to use your own words (2 points).

a. According to the text, where in Europe, besides the Swiss school, is English increasing in use?

b. What is the main argument against the teaching of English in Switzerland?

c. What do the defenders of using English as a global language contend?

d. According to the article, what seems to be the opinion of the majority of Europeans?

3. Rewrite the following sentences maintaining the same meaning (1.5 points).

a. The use of English as a global tongue is booming, and so is concern. (too)

b. Lists of songs that the first grade has already mastered include not only local German tunes but Old Mc Donald and How are you this morning? (both)

c. Europe is debating the growing prominence of English. (The growing prominence…).

4. Complete the following paragraph with the correct form of the verb in brackets (1.5 points).

            In Switzerland, some politicians and editorial writers (attack) ______________________ the program in Thalwil with passion, asking why in a country with four national languages children (learn) ______________________ English as their first foreign language. However, the fiercest defenders of their language (be) ______________________ the French. Numerous laws (establish) ______________________ in France in the last decade intended to protect the French language. But France and Switzerland (be) ______________________ not alone in considering legal action to protect national languages.

5. Composition (120 words). What do you think about the use of English as a global language? Would it be practical? Would it threaten or endanger national identity?