Explore the complexities of using AI in language testing, and the need to use AI applications based on research and evidence. Learn how to leverage AI tools to enhance assessment methods, create reliable and valid tests, and ensure trustworthy results.
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In this session, we will discuss our experience with employing digital progress solutions to cater to young learners' needs and optimize the learning experience.
Explore the latest AI innovations in educational products, including scenario-based practice, AI-enabled feedback, and a content generation toolkit for teachers. Learn about the pedagogical and technological principles and the challenges of ensuring student data privacy and adherence to AI regulations.
Presenter(s): Kacper Łodzikowski
Become an expert AI prototyper by learning simple hands-on techniques to revamp your own English language classroom. Uncover principles of design thinking, learning experience design, and rapid prototyping for your teaching tool kit.
In this session, we'll bring an accomplished individual who has excelled in PTE Academic and their preparation teacher. Hear first-hand about their journeys, strategies, and the mindset that propelled them to success.
This webinar aims to provide participants with practical tools and approaches to enhance their speaking and listening skills, which are essential for effective communication.
Blogs from Pearson
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- Linguistics and culture
What are the most spoken languages in the world?
Reading time: 5 minutesHave you ever wondered which world languages are spoken by the largest number of people globally? Whether you’re a language enthusiast or someone looking to learn a new language, understanding the most spoken languages around the world can be incredibly insightful. In this blog post, we’ll explore the top languages by number of speakers, shedding light on languages with the most native speakers and widely spoken languages globally.
Introduction to spoken languages
Spoken languages are a vital part of human communication, culture and identity. With over 7,000 languages spoken worldwide, each language has its unique characteristics, nuances and significance. Understanding the most spoken languages globally provides valuable insights into geopolitics, economics and social dynamics. In this article, we will explore the top languages spoken in the world, their distribution and use.
Why knowing the most spoken languages matters
Knowing which languages are most popular worldwide can influence your language learning decisions. Enhancing your language skills in these widely spoken languages can significantly boost your communication abilities and cultural understanding. It can open up opportunities for travel, business and cultural exchange. Additionally, understanding global language popularity can give you a broader perspective of the world’s linguistic diversity.
Criteria for measuring language popularity
Measuring language popularity is a complex task that involves various factors, including the number of native speakers, global influence, and use as a second or foreign language. The criteria for measuring language popularity include:
Number of native speakers: This refers to the number of people who speak a language as their first or native language. Languages with the highest number of native speakers often have a significant cultural and historical impact.
Global influence: This measures the extent to which a language is used in international communication, business, science and diplomacy. Languages with a broad global influence are often used as lingua francas in various regions.
Use as a second or foreign language: This considers the number of people who speak a language as a second language or foreign language. Languages that are widely taught and learned around the world tend to have a larger speaking population.
By considering these criteria, we can better understand why certain languages are more prominent and widely spoken globally.
Top 10 most spoken languages in the world
Here’s a closer look at the ten most spoken languages by number of speakers:
When evaluating these languages, it's important to consider not just the number of native speakers but also the total number of language speakers, including those who speak it as a second language.
1. English
Speakers: Approximately 1.5 billion
Native speakers: Around 360 million
Regions: Widely spoken in the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania.
Highlights: English is the most widely spoken language worldwide when combining native and non-native speakers. It's the primary language in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. English is the dominant language in international business, science and technology.
2. Mandarin Chinese
Speakers: Over 1.1 billion
Native speakers: About 920 million
Regions: Mainly in China, Taiwan and Singapore
Highlights: Mandarin is the language with the largest number of native speakers. It's one of the six official languages of the United Nations and has a significant cultural and historical importance.
3. Hindi
Speakers: Around 600 million
Native speakers: Approximately 341 million
Regions: Predominantly in India and Nepal
Highlights: Hindi is predominantly spoken in India and Nepal, with approximately 341 million native speakers. It is one of the official languages of India and is spoken by a large portion of the Indian population. It has numerous dialects and is written in the Devanagari script.
4. Spanish
Speakers: Approximately 560 million
Native speakers: About 460 million
Regions: Spain, Latin America and parts of the United States
Highlights: Spanish is the official language in 21 countries and is widely spoken in the Americas. In many of these countries, Spanish serves as the national language, playing a crucial role in government, education and media. It’s known for its rich literature and cultural heritage.
5. French
Speakers: Around 280 million
Native speakers: About 77 million
Regions: France, parts of Africa, Canada, Belgium and Switzerland
Highlights: French is another of the six official languages of the United Nations. It's widely used in international diplomacy and has a significant number of speakers in Africa due to France's colonial history.
6. Arabic
Speakers: Approximately 270 million
Native speakers: Around 310 million
Regions: Middle East and North Africa
Highlights: Arabic is a central Semitic language that is the liturgical language of Islam. It has many dialects, with Modern Standard Arabic being used in formal settings and media. Arabic has numerous spoken forms, with significant variations in dialects across different regions.
7. Bengali
Speakers: Around 265 million
Native speakers: About 230 million
Regions: Bangladesh and parts of India
Highlights: Bengali is the official language of Bangladesh and the second most spoken language in India. Alongside other languages like Hindi and Urdu, Bengali plays a crucial role in the cultural and linguistic landscape of the region. It’s known for its rich literary tradition.
8. Portuguese
Speakers: Approximately 220 million
Native speakers: Around 220 million
Regions: Brazil, Portugal and parts of Africa
Highlights: Portuguese is mainly spoken in Brazil, which is the largest Portuguese-speaking country. It has a growing number of speakers in Africa.
9. Russian
Speakers: Around 258 million
Native speakers: Approximately 154 million
Regions: Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Highlights: Russian is one of the six official languages of the United Nations and is widely spoken in the former Soviet Union countries.
10. Japanese
Speakers: Approximately 128 million
Native speakers: Around 128 million
Regions: Japan
Highlights: Japanese is predominantly spoken in Japan and is known for its three writing systems—Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji. It has a rich cultural history and is influential in technology and entertainment.
Conclusion
Understanding the most spoken languages in the world can provide valuable insights for language learners. Developing strong language skills in these world languages can open up numerous opportunities for travel, business and cultural exchange. Whether you’re looking to enhance your travel experiences, broaden your cultural horizons, or improve your career prospects, learning one of these widely spoken languages could be a significant advantage.
Ready to start your language learning journey? Learn a new language with Mondly by Pearson.
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- Language teaching
Designing new learning experiences for your English language learners
Reading time: 6 minutesEhsan Gorji is an Iranian teacher and educator with 18 years of experience in English language education. He collaborates on various ELT projects with different language schools around the globe. Ehsan currently owns and manages THink™ Languages and also works as a TED-Ed Student Talks Leader.
Learning has always been an interesting topic to explore in the language education industry. Every week, a lot of webinars are delivered on how learning another language could be more successful, lots of articles are written on how to maximize learning, and many discussions take place between teaching colleagues about how they could surprise their language learners with more amazing tasks and games. In our lesson plans, too, we put learners into focus and try to write learning objectives that will benefit them in the real world.
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- Language hints and tips
Learning a language while working full-time
Reading time: 4 minutesMastering a new language can be a game-changer for your career. Whether it's for expanding your professional network, exploring new job opportunities, or simply enhancing your cognitive skills, learning a language is an invaluable investment. But how can you juggle language learning with a demanding full-time job? Here are some practical tips designed for busy professionals.
1. Set clear goals
Before you start, it's crucial to set clear, achievable goals. Whether you aim to hold basic conversations, read professional documents, or become fluent, having a specific target will keep you motivated and focused.
2. Integrate learning into your daily routine
Finding time to study can be challenging, but integrating language learning into your daily routine can make it more manageable:
- Commute time: Use your commute to listen to language podcasts or audiobooks.
- Lunch breaks: Dedicate 15-20 minutes of your lunch break to review vocabulary or grammar.
- Evening wind-down: Spend 10 minutes before bed practicing speaking or writing.
3. Use online resources
Modern technology provides a plethora of tools to help you learn a new language without disrupting your schedule:
- Language learning apps: Apps like Mondly by Pearson allow you to practice during your commute or lunch break.
- Podcasts and audiobooks: Listen to language lessons during your commute or workout.
- Online courses: Many websites offer structured courses that you can complete at your own pace.
4. Stay motivated
Staying motivated is crucial to your success. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small, and remind yourself of the benefits of being multilingual:
- Track your progress: Keep a journal of your language learning milestones and achievements.
- Find a study buddy: Partner with a colleague or friend who is also learning the language to keep each other accountable.
- Reward yourself: Treat yourself when you reach your language learning goals.
5. Explore company resources
Some companies offer resources or discounted access for learning. It's always worthwhile to check if your employer provides:
- Language classes: On-site or online language classes.
- Learning platforms: Subscriptions to language learning platforms.
- Education reimbursement: Financial assistance for language courses as part of professional development.
6. Use your work environment
If your workplace has international colleagues, take advantage of this opportunity to practice. Try to speak with them in their first language or ask for help with pronunciation and vocabulary. Not only will this provide real-world practice, but it will also strengthen your professional relationships.
7. Be consistent and patient
Consistency is key when learning a new language:
- Daily practice: Even 10-15 minutes a day can lead to significant progress over time.
- Patience: Language learning is a gradual process. Celebrate small milestones and remain patient with your progress.
Balancing a full-time job with language learning is no small feat, but it's entirely possible with the right strategies. By setting clear goals, integrating learning into your routine, leveraging technology, practicing consistently, engaging with native speakers, making learning fun and staying motivated, you can achieve fluency without sacrificing your professional responsibilities. Ready to start your language learning journey? Take the first step today and open a world of new opportunities.