The British Council: What's the future of English?

The findings challenge traditional education systems that overemphasize grammar and spelling, calling for a shift toward practical language skills such as speaking and listening, which are essential for success in today’s globalized world.

As the British Council celebrates 90 years of global engagement, it continues as a language education, cultural exchange, and research leader. This milestone is marked through The Future of English: Global Perspectives, an essential publication from the British Council’s ongoing research into the role of English worldwide. The report builds on previous research and explores global perspectives on using English for educational, professional, and social purposes. The findings are crucial when English proficiency is increasingly critical to personal and professional success in MENA and worldwide.

The research forms part of the British Council’s three-phase global project, which examines the evolving role of English as an international language. This latest research follows The Future of English (1997) and English Next (2006) by David Graddol, which shaped global conversations around language education. Building on Graddol’s work, The Future of English: Global Perspectives draws from extensive roundtable discussions with policymakers and educational leaders across the globe, offering valuable insights into English language trends and projections for the coming decades.

The British Council enhances cultural relations between the UAE and the UK through meaningful partnerships and joint initiatives addressing global challenges. The British Council invites educators, policymakers, and learners across the region to engage with The Future of English: Global Perspectives findings and participate in ongoing conversations about the future of language education.

The British Council’s research highlights distinct regional insights into the state and future of English learning. Delegates from MENA countries shared perspectives at roundtable discussions on how English is perceived and taught across the region and found the following:

● Maghreb (Morocco, Tunisia, Libya): A growing demand for English is driven by aspirations for better educational and employment opportunities. Young people in Morocco, in particular, would like to see English replace French, although the roundtable agreed English should not prevail at the expense of other languages.

● The Gulf (Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar): English is increasingly seen as a lingua franca. Technological advancements and the shift to flexible learning during the pandemic have reshaped language education, with a growing need for educators to improve digital literacy.

● Egypt and Levant (Yemen, Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Jordan): English is becoming more important for economic mobility, but quality provision remains inconsistent. Stakeholders emphasized the need to address technology access and ensure equitable learning opportunities.

The research also explores how technology integration in language learning has transformed the educational landscape. The British Council’s commitment to using digital tools to support language learning is evident across MENA, ensuring that teachers and students can continue to benefit from high-quality resources and innovative solutions, even during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sheikh Rashid opening the new Council building in Dubai 1973

The research emphasizes that language learning policies should align with the evolving needs of learners today. The findings challenge traditional education systems that overemphasize grammar and spelling, calling for a shift toward practical language skills such as speaking and listening, which are essential for success in today’s globalized world. Policymakers are encouraged to consider how English language learning can best serve the needs of learners, with a focus on equipping them for the workplace and other real-world contexts.

“The British Council has been at the heart of transforming language learning globally for 90 years, and the Future of English research demonstrates that the demand for English is stronger than ever. As we look to the future, we remain committed to supporting learners and educators through innovative resources and research-driven insights,” said Amir Ramzan, Regional Director, British Council MENA.