It feels almost natural for people to grow up with a command of the English language, but that is not the case in practice. The Netherlands is known as a country with a lot of attention to this foreign language, where it may be different in other countries. Which countries pay even more attention to English, how did it become a real world language and how do you develop a good command of English? You can read about that here.
English as a world language
English is among the largest languages in the world, with 380 million native speakers and more than a billion people speaking it as a second language. Why has English become this world language? It has everything to do with Britain's colonialist past, which brought countries from all over the world under British influence. This allowed the English language to spread effortlessly, so today you can make yourself clear almost anywhere in English.
Where is English used as a second language?
The special thing about English is that people from all over the world speak the language. For example, it is an important second language in large parts of Africa, but it is also common in many Asian and South American countries for people to have partial command of it. Many European countries score well on their English proficiency, so you can almost always get ahead if you have a good English foundation. For all these examples, however, it is mainly residents of large cities that have a good command of the language, so you may not get as far with English in small rural areas.
Why is English an important second language?
Speaking a second language is always valuable, in part because it makes your brain more flexible and efficient. For example, a child with a bilingual upbringing can concentrate more easily, make connections faster and remember more information. English is a good second language because it is a real world language that you use not only during vacations, but is also used within the worlds of science, economics, politics and journalism. Thus, those who have a good command of the English language will have more opportunities to develop in those areas, for example, during a study or job.
Where is English best spoken as a second language?
Year after year, the Netherlands tops the list when it comes to mastering this foreign language. This has everything to do with the international character of the Netherlands, but the young acquaintance with the English language also plays a major role in this. Furthermore, many other countries in Europe score well, such as Denmark, Austria, Norway and Belgium. Singapore and South Africa are also among the countries that have the best command of English as a second language.
English class at school
The benefits of English as a second language are clear, but how do we help children master it to the fullest extent possible? In the Netherlands, it is compulsory to start English lessons as early as elementary school. Primary and secondary schools must introduce students to the English language to maximize their chances for the future. In elementary school, the emphasis is on listening and reading, while high school also pays close attention to speaking and writing.
Learning English outside of school: we'd love to invite you!
For many young people, their knowledge of the English language does not just come from lessons at school. In fact, children and adolescents learn best through play, for example by practicing English during conversations with their friends or by following English-language media. Movies, series, books and music are often in English and appeal to young people. As a result, they keep up their knowledge of the English language through play and gradually learn new words and sentence structures.
Our day camp for children who want to learn English as a second language, gives children an immersive and educational experience. Our experienced instructors take participants on an adventurous journey through the English language, practicing speaking, listening, reading and writing. Through engaging activities, games and cultural exchanges, children develop not only language skills but also self-confidence.
