English is the most spoken language in the world. It is the international language of business and diplomacy and has been for over a century. Because of this dominant status, hundreds of thousands of people around the world are learning English at any time. Most people learn in their home country, often in a school or college. Many people, however, either choose or are forced to learn English away from home. For some learners, this can be seen as something of a 'drag' while many take to the challenge of travel with gusto. People choose to learn English for a number of reasons:
Business
Many people from around the world learn English for business each year. While Mandarin looks increasingly like the future language of business, English is definitely the language of now. The two most important English-speaking cities for business are London and New York: names that evoke centuries of history and great figures from the past. People who learn English for business are often attracted to the major cities of Britain and America because they are also international business hubs.
The vocabulary taught on business language courses is more specialised than that taught on general language courses such as those you may take at school. When learning a language for business you are far more likely to learn etiquette and appropriacy than learn how to find the local supermarket. You will also learn a selection of important business terms that would never usually find their way onto a language course. Many ambitious young learners will study languages for business before undertaking internships or other work-related roles.
Tourism
When considering a UK English course, many people will only want to learn enough English to survive conversationally. The focus in a course like this is heavily towards spoken English, degrading the value of elements such as grammar and punctuation. Spoken English, as anyone who learnt it as a second language will testify, relies heavily on correct intonation for meaning. Sentences go up and down in a way that languages like Spanish never do. This is one of the first thing learners discover after choosing to learn English in London.
English courses in Britain offer learners a fantastic opportunity to explore one of Europe's great states. From bonnie Scotland in the north to the beautiful Sussex coast, Britain is a nation brimming with history and culture. London is the most populous city in Europe and is one of the largest in the world. It is also home to many of the world's largest businesses and the London Stock Exchange.
Personal Interest
If anyone is looking for an English course London should be the first place to look. Many people take a great interest in the history of London too. While there is some evidence of scattered pre-Roman settlement in the London area, the first major settlement (Londinium) was founded by the Romans in AD 43. This is thought to be the origin of the city's present name. Unfortunately, the first London lasted for just seventeen years until it was crushed by the Icini tribe under the command of Queen Boudica. The Romans restored the city to prominence around 100AD, but it fell into disuse when they left Britain.
London was recreated by the Anglo-Saxons about 1km north of the Roman city, but didn't last long until the Vikings invaded and thoroughly pillaged the settlement, leaving Alfred the Great in charge. Anyone who chooses to learn English in Southern England should get a fantastic chance to explore the region's rich and fascinating history.