There are 300 million people who use English as a second language
A further 100 million people speak it fluently as a foreign language
English is used as an official or semi-official language in over 60 countries
Over two thirds of the world's scientists write in English
Over 80% of all the information stored electronically around the world is in English
English radio programmes are received by over 150 million people in 120 countries
Around the globe English is the main language of books, newspapers, airports and air-traffic control, advertising, business, medicine, technology, diplomacy, sports, pop music, and academic conferences
In the USA, about 500,000 foreign students register each year for study purposes
More than two-thirds of the world's scientists read English, and three-quarters of the world's mail is written in English.
English is top of the table for total numbers of speakers followed some way behind by Chinese
Many English words have totally changed meaning over the centuries- here are a few examples with their earlier meaning:
treacle- wild animal
villain- farm labourer Many English words have been taken from other languages. Here are a few examples: ballot-Italian-garage-French
There are 300 million people who use English as a second language
English is used as an official or semi-official language in over 60 countries 
Over two thirds of the world's scientists write in English 
English radio programmes are received by over 150 million people in 120 countries 
Around the globe English is the main language of books, newspapers, airports and air-traffic control, advertising, business, medicine, technology, diplomacy, sports, pop music, and academic conferences 
More than two-thirds of the world's scientists read English, and three-quarters of the world's mail is written in English. 
English is top of the table for total numbers of speakers followed some way behind by Chinese
Many English words have totally changed meaning over the centuries- here are a few examples with their earlier meaning: 
treacle- wild animal 
Many English words have been taken from other languages. Here are a few examples: 
ballot-Italian-garage-French