Introduction
The world is in various stages of social, economic, and demographic transition. It reflects the availability of modern communications and production technologies in most parts of the world. So, do we need to be concerned about the future of the English language in the 21st century?
Worldwide over 1.4 billion people live in countries where English has official status. One out of five of the world`s population speaks English with some degree of competence. And by 2000 one in five – over one billion people – will also be learning English. Over 70% of the world`s scientists read English. About 85% of the world`s mail is written in English. And 90% of all information in the world`s electronic retrieval systems is stored in English. By 2010, the number of people who speak English as a second or foreign language will exceed the number of native speakers. This trend will certainly affect the language (5.3.).
The new century has changed the politics, economics and the cultural life in Latvia. Meanwhile, going towards the European Economic Community (EEC) and NATO, the educational system, its goals and tasks change. To be successful, to have a good job young people must have good education.
Language is an indicator that shows person`s intelligence: mother tongue as well foreign language (English, German, Russian etc.).
Language shows person`s intellectual, emotional and social development. Our language skills help us to communicate, we can express our feelings, our emotional experience.
Nowadays each well educated young person needs the ability to speak in some foreign languages. This ability helps him to communicate, gives him a chance to get to know, to learn the culture of other countries. Studying the foreign language has the very important position in tourism and management.
We live in a modern world so we need people who have learned to accept those from other countries, respect their mentalities, their value systems and their way of everyday life organizing. The growth of business and administration will require people who can handle more than one modern foreign language. In further two foreign languages will be needed by every European citizen.
A well educated young person needs the foreign language for getting new information, for its analysing and making use of it.
Our pupils have possibility to learn two foreign languages in primary school. The first one they start to learn in 3rd grade and the second one they start to learn in the 6th grade. After graduating the primary school those who have good language skills can continue their studies abroad.
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