Is English really the language of communication?

Educational Infrastructure Is Crumbling . What’s Really Going On.

I am not talking about affordibility, curriculums, well trained teachers, because there are many who get up, show up and teach the true essence of teacher, sharing knowledge, opening the mind, connecting the dots. But of course , I am talking about the days when I went to school. Miss Fick, my class teacher, she recognised each child's needs, and mind you there were easily 30 children in our class. Yet she took the time to spend a few minutes with each struggling child. Darren August, author of A Teacher Changed my life, wrote that book for a reason. Miss Fick would be seated at ther desk and after every lesson or break, she would call a special-needs child up, and in the most kind soft and loving voice help the learner to cross the bridge that they could not do by them selves. I was one of those learners, today I love reading and teaching. So, I ask, what is different today? Billions are being spent on education, where is the education, specifically, the money? Oh, let's blame it on someone or something. Right.

It’s not just broken buildings. It shows up in several layers:

• Physical decay: unsafe buildings, poor sanitation, no libraries or labs - Why , where is the money that was allocated to this need?

• Overcrowding: 40–80 learners per class in some regions- And I bet all different ages.

• Teacher shortages: burnout, resignations, fewer people entering teaching- Our teachers build the foundation for the future leaders of every country, why are they going through burnout, lack of income.

• Digital gaps: some schools use AI and tablets, others lack electricity - Why can teaching remain orhodox teaching as it should be.

• Curriculum strain: outdated content or overloaded syllabi - Use one curriculum

• Loss of depth: more testing, less real understanding- no could be bothered, if one kid understand, tough for all others

Technology disruption

• Tech promised to “fix” education, but: It widened inequality and It sometimes replaced human teaching instead of supporting it in addidtion, students now compete with constant digital distraction

• Policy instability coupled with fFrequent curriculum changes, encomassing politicisation of education, resulting in short-term reforms instead of long-term planning.

• Pandemic aftershocks realising learning loss still visible years later with schools never fully recovered structurally or academically

My two cents worth, reality today is that a grade 12 learner has passed all grades with flying colours but cannot read. This learner now has to fit into a first grade after hours, just to learn to read. Parents have to pay exhorbitant school fees and still pay tutors to bridge the gap. What are we really doing. Ignoring the elephant in the room! Who do we blame. Parents what do you say? This year , it's private schools, next year i'ts home schooling, then what, add to the overcrowded government schools

Is English a universal language? In whose opinion?

In many ways, yes. English is the dominant language of:

International business

Aviation and maritime communication

Scientific research

Higher education

Much of the internet

Tourism

Global entertainment

If two people from different countries need a common language, English is often the one they choose. not so much anymore, they need English , but it must be coupled with another language.

So why does it sometimes seem like English is under attack?

Several trends contribute to that perception.

1. Countries are protecting their own languages

Many nations worry that English could overshadow local languages and cultures.

France actively promotes French.

Wales has revitalized Welsh.

New Zealand has invested in Māori.

South Africa recognizes 12 official languages, reflecting its cultural diversity.

The goal is usually preservation, not rejection of English.

2. Technology has changed communication

Translation apps and AI can now translate conversations, documents, and websites almost instantly. This means people may not need to learn English to access information in the future as much as they once did.

3. Education is becoming more balanced

Many schools encourage bilingual or multilingual education because research suggests learning multiple languages can benefit cognitive development and help preserve cultural identity.

That doesn't mean English is becoming unimportant, it means it's sharing the stage.

Will English disappear?

Highly unlikely.ummmmmm, not so sure!

English has advantages that are difficult to replace: Why? when new dialects are formed everyday.

It is spoken or understood by well over a billion people, who are afraid of losing their mother tongue, Dont get me wrong, it is an aquired skill and any skill in any langue is an asset

Languages that become global tend to remain influential for a long time, even as other languages grow in importance. Because America says so!