English as an International Language

Lolita Amelia Pasaribu, Jenni Mauli Manalu, Dewi Peronika Silitonga

Bonny Miracle Mewengkang, Henoch WMK
English Literature Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Sam Ratulangi University

ABSTRACT
As intended in the title, this paper provides a brief definition of English as an International
Language (EIL) by breaking it down into paradigms and discussing concepts closely related to
English as an International Language. In doing so, the paper covers sections of English in
relation to globalization, linguistic imperialism, other languages, identity, its varieties, language
ecology, and its impacts. Prominent theories and previous research results are presented
throughout the paper.

In general, EIL as a paradigm suggests that the spread of English is no longer a simple
result of migration or colonization rather it involves multiple reasons, backgrounds, and issues.
In the context of communication, EIL requires adequacy and negotiation in the use and function
of English alongside other languages, which would ideally lead to a “contemporary global
linguistic ecology” (Phillipson and Skutnabb-Kangas, p. 20).

Keywords: English as an International Language (EIL)

INTRODUCTION

This paper provides a brief overview of English as an international language. Language (EIL),
regarding the advancement of technology, information and communication in this era of
globalization, English is very widely used in communication media, learning, work and others.
This proves that we must be required to master English. English is an international language in
addition to being used to connect between countries, it is also used to deepen and develop
science, since most of the science books are imported from abroad (Izzan and Mahfuddin,
2007:1).

One of the foreign languages is that English is not the most spoken language in many
countries in terms of the number of native speakers, there are more Chinese speakers than native
English speakers. But Chinese is little spoken outside the Chinese community, so the most
widespread language in the world is English. It is difficult to estimate exactly how many English
speakers there are, but according to estimates there are more than 350,000,000 native English
speakers and more than 400,000,000 English speakers as a second language (a language spoken
in everyday life, although not a native language) or a foreign language (a language that is learned
but not widely used in everyday life) (Kitao: 1996). However, even these figures do not really
show how important English is as a world language, since less than fifteen percent of the world's
population uses English. The importance of English is not only in how many people speak but
what it is used for. English is the main language of news and information in the world. English is
the language of business and government, even for some countries where English is a minority
language.

As an international language, English is no longer fully owned by native speakers (inner

circle countries), but has been owned by an outlying community that includes speakers of
English as a second language or as a foreign language. Smith (in McKay,2003) explains three
fundamental concepts of English as an international language in learning, namely that learners
are not obliged to adopt the culture of native English speakers, English is owned by all circles
and is not limited to native English speakers, and the purpose of English learning is to enable
learners to communicate their ideas [1] ideas and culture to others.

The development of English as an international language has contributed to the development

of the English learning curriculum by not orienting learning to the target language culture alone
but also providing flexibility for learners to understand their own culture and use English not
only to interact with native English speakers (inner circle countries) but also to interact with
nonnative English speakers (outer circle countries and expanding circle countries). To be more
specific in proving from the explanation above regarding English as an international language,
the following are the results of research conducted by researchers on several people's opinions.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS
We conducted a survey asking for opinions on “English as an International Language.”

The questions are:

1. Do you think English deserves to be an international language? (Give a reason)

2. Where do you usually use English (via online/offline)

3. What is the role of English in your daily life?

4. Do you think being able to speak English is important? Why?

5. How is the use of English in your surroundings?

6. What do you think about the English proficiency test that is required when you are going to
study abroad?

7. What do you think about local people who speak fluent English?

OBJECTIVES

To find out more about the views of the community, especially among students regarding
English as an International Language.

RESEARCH METHOD

This study used a survey design supported by interviews to take advantage of students and
students' perceptions of English as an international language. The selection of this survey design
was used to obtain quantitative data and interviews to obtain a deeper opinion about English as
an international language. In addition, with the use of this method we also believe that the
potential in reaching respondents is higher. We make students and students our target
respondents, because we want to know the opinions of teenagers and youth about English as an
international language. Where teenagers and young people are more sliding into the world of
outside media and are still in their learning period.
A total of ten students and college students participated in the study. Where they have been
learning English since elementary school. Some of our respondents are students with English
majors, who feel the influence of English in everyday life.
Our respondents are students and are sixteen to twenty years old. We used two instruments in
researching this issue. We started by giving a questionnaire in the form of a google form that we
shared via social media, which the link was found by fellow students of our age. Then, we
collected some data from respondents who filled out our questionnaire. After that, we conducted
interviews with some of our fellow students in the campus as our respondents.
We provide briefings on how to fill out our questionnaires or interview questions to
respondents. Some of the questions we ask are more about the use of English than the learning
of English. After conducting the interview, we began to analyze the research data that we took
from the results of filling out the questionnaire and collecting opinions through the interview
results to make an overview of the result of our discussion is from this title we researched. In the
discussion section, we develop qualitative and quantitative phases to gain comprehensive
insights.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The results of the survey we conducted relating to English as an International Language, we

can conclude several opinions obtained from the results of the answers to the questions we have
provided:
1. Almost all responders agreed that English deserves to be used as an international language
with several explanations such as the increasing number of English speakers assisted by English
being used as a technology support language, English which is considered an easy language to
learn because many people use it as a language for everyday communication and used as a
subject to make English worthy of being used as an international language.
2. Places or places for answerers using English tend to use online, but there are also some who
use English online and offline.
3. As a medium of communication and as a medium of learning are the most frequently given
answers after being asked about the role of English in everyday life. "As a learning media
because I am an English literature student" answered one respondent.
4. There are those who think that it is important to learn English, especially in this era of
globalization, there are also those who respond that English is very important to learn so that
more and more people can understand and receive information from abroad. It is also undeniable
that schools and lectures are increasingly providing material in the form of English which adds
points of interest for students and students to study English.
5. Most respondents have the same answer regarding the use of English in their respective
environments, that there are still many who are not willing or able to use English for daily
communication.
6. "The English proficiency test is necessary to find out how far our ability is to be able to
communicate abroad" was the answer of one respondent when asked to provide feedback about
the English proficiency test for those who wish to study abroad.
7. Respondents also feel applauded because there are already many people who can understand
well so they are able to communicate using English well too.

Based on the research, the results of the questionnaire survey showed that almost all
respondents agreed that English was appropriate to use as an international language with several
explanations because English is an international language, namely the language used by
everyone to communicate with one another from different backgrounds. The large number of
English speakers from various countries such as America, Australia, Singapore, and others as
well as in certain regions also triggers English to become the official language that is used every
day or is used as a second language used in the world of work, making English must be
understood and mastered.

English is a demand in the world of education starting from the elementary, secondary, final
and tertiary levels in the country as evidenced by the established curriculum. If you want to
continue your education abroad to a higher level, as it is known that the requirement for
continuing your education abroad or getting a scholarship is being able to master the English
language as shown by the TOEFL and IELTS results. One of the supporting factors for the
country's economy or it can be said as a benchmark for the economy and progress of a country is
being able to master English because if you already master English, you can easily do business,
offer products, invest, do business and so on with countries that have high levels of advanced
economy.
 Society must be able to accept English as an international language because everything that
will be encountered in the era of globalization has used English as the language of instruction.
For this reason, people can learn English easily through websites, applications and electronic
books on the internet in today's advanced technological era. so that education, economy, social,
culture and politics experienced rapid progress.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of the research survey group 4, namely English as international, it can be
concluded that almost all respondents agree that English is appropriate to use as an international
language with several explanations such as the increasing number of English speakers assisted
by English being used as a technology support language, English which is considered as a
language that is easy to learn because many people use it. as the language of daily
communication and used as a subject to make English suitable for use as an international
language, especially in this era of globalization, there are also those who respond that English is
very important to learn so that more and more people can understand and receive information
from abroad. It is also undeniable that schools and lectures are increasingly providing material in
English which adds to the attraction for students and students to learn English. Respondents also
felt flattered because many of them were able to understand well so they were able to
communicate using English well too. And English as international if it is improved again in
every country can have a good impact on education, economy, social, culture and politics
experienced rapid progress.

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