The Popularity of English I. Present status of English — English as a native/first language — English as a lingua franca: a language for communication among people whose (1) are different — Number of people speaking English as a first or a second language: — 320-380 million native speakers — 250- (2) million speakers of English as a second language II. Reasons for the popular use of English — (3) reasons — the Pilgrim Fathers brought the language to America — British settlers brought the language to Australia — English was used as a means of control in (4) — Economic reasons — spread of (5) — language of communication in the international business community — (6) in international travel — use of English in travel and tourism — signs in airports — language of announcement — language of (7) — Information exchange — use of English in the academic world — language of (8) or journal articles — Popular culture — pop music on (9) — films from the USA III. Questions to think about — status of English in the future — (10) of distinct varieties of English