English courses

As with most languages, modern-day English reflects the history of its country of origin: England. The core vocabulary and syntax of English is primarily Germanic, which was brought to the island from mainland Europe by the Anglo-Saxons and Danes. Significant Latin influence was felt in this time, too, thanks to the Catholic Church, whose texts and masses were exclusively given in Latin. The later Normandy Conquest brought French to England, and because Norman was spoken primarily by the elite ruling classes, this influence is seen in ‘educated’ or technical vocabulary relating to politics, legislation, and social hierarchies. In fact, the Norman impact was so profound that French-origin words make up a third of the modern English lexicon!

Because of England’s historical role in global politics, English is everywhere. Today, it’s an official language in 67 nations and formally used by numerous global organisations including the European Union and the United Nations. English also dominates the Internet, being used on over 55% of the 10 million most popular webpages. If you learn English you can watch Hollywood films, read literary masterpieces in their original form, and do business in almost any country with almost anyone. It’s not just that English affects the world, however - the world affects English, too. In native-speaking communities in Asia, Africa, and Australasia, local dialects have shaped modern English usage, while social media and worldwide broadcasting have helped to disseminate once purely American forms into regular mainstream usage. There’s only one way to keep up with these changes: attend one of our immersive English courses in a country where it’s spoken as the first language! You’ll soon be speaking with confidence.

Don’t hesitate to contact us for further details of our language schools and the packages available.