Learn English with an ESOL tutor in Glasgow

English, A Language with History

The English language evolved from Anglo-Frisian dialects of the West Germanic language that was brought to the British Isles by Anglo-Saxons from what is now Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands. Following the Norman conquest of England in the 11th Century, plenty of Latin, Norman, and Old French words made their way into the English language. As a result, English became a Germanic language with vocabulary largely made of up words from Romance languages. Of course, it was mainly the upper classes who spoke Old French and Norman, meaning that most words from Latin languages are used in higher registers. The Anglo-Saxon words still remained in everyday use.

Of course, English didn't remain the same during all these years and you just need to read a bit of Shakespeare to see just how much the language has changed over the centuries. The oldest examples of written English date back to the 6th century. That said, you probably won't be able to understand texts dating back to this time. The same is true in other languages like French, German, Dutch, and Italian, for example.

During the colonial era, the English language was taken to all corners of the globe and became the official language of colonies all around the world. The variations of English spoken in each of the colonies subsequently changed and diverged over time, was influenced by indigenous languages and other languages spoken by immigrant groups, and became the different dialects and accents we can hear today.

This has led to English having to standardised dialect and different dialects in all the different countries in the English-speaking world. English is different in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Ireland and New Zealand. There are also plenty of countries where English isn't the native language but it's regularly used in universities and by bilingual populations.

English: An Influential Language

English is the world's most important language. In addition to being the world's third largest language in terms of native speakers, it's the world's most common language when you include all the people who speak it as a foreign language (who outnumber native speakers 3 to 1).  There are around 300 and 350 million native speakers of English and somewhere between 400 million and 1 billion people speaking English as a second language. With so many regions and other countries in the world speaking English, it's an important language to learn.

English is an official language for a number of international organisations and bodies. Additionally, English is the official language of 55 different sovereign states as well as an official language of the UN, EU, NATO, the WTO, the Council of Europe, the African Union, and many others.

English is also widely used as the de facto lingua franca for tourism and international business. In fact, it’s not uncommon for two non-native speakers of English to have a conversation in English with one another be it in Asia, Africa, Europe, or the Americas. English is usually the first foreign language that non-native speakers will learn to speak. This means that there are plenty of native and non-native speakers of English who want to learn more about the language.

Learning English in Glasgow: Improving Your Level

Would you like to further your career by improving your level in English? Are you interested in English-speaking culture and the English language but struggle with a learning disability such as dyslexia?

Learning a language is one of the most gratifying endeavours you can undertake in terms of your personal and professional development. Even someone who speaks English as their first language might be surprised by how much they can learn about their own language and its grammar. Many English speakers struggle with spelling, complex grammatical structures, pronouns, and punctuation. In this case, brushing up on your English might be a great idea. You can also pass exams that prove your level in English and improve your CV.

On the other hand, taking an exam could also reveal just how little you know about the English language. Generally, most employers require a B2 level on Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), an international standard for describing ability. Of course, native speakers can still study the English language in order to better read articles, blogs, and books to better understand the written language, punctuation, syntax, and spelling. English can be a demanding language. This is where tutors come in, helping native speakers improve their understanding of their mother tongue.

English Language Tutorials for Foreign Students

Are you thinking about going to Glasgow and need to study English as a Foreign Language (EFL)? Glasgow is home to plenty of different ethnicities including families with Asian, African, and Caribbean heritage.

Whether they’re permanently settled in Glasgow, planning on spending a number of years working and living in Scotland, or just visiting for the holidays, non-native speakers of English should consider EFL classes or tutorials to help them improve their language skills. This will help make their time in Glasgow much easier.

Another advantage of English tuition is for literacy. While literacy in the UK is quite high, there are still those that can’t read or write or struggle with it and feel that it’s too late for them to change that.

There are plenty of certifications available for those who don’t speak English natively to prove their level in the language. The Cambridge and Trinity Exams are commonly accepted in Europe and the TOEFL is commonly accepted in the Americas.

Becoming an English Tutor in Glasgow

As we already know, there are plenty of benefits to learning a foreign language. Speaking English can help you in your career and personal life. Employers look for applicants with good English language skills. While good English language skills are sought after in the UK, they’re also highly valuable in other English-speaking countries like the US, Australia, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, and Ireland, and abroad in countries where English is used in business.

In addition to working while using English, you can also teach the language. Teaching English as a foreign language (EFL) can be a rewarding and lucrative career.

So how do you do it? The most common ways are to train as a teacher or complete a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course and gain a TEFL qualification. With a bit of luck and a lot of work, you can gain the necessary qualifications and experience to start teaching English to non-native speakers. As a private tutor, you’ll have more freedom than a teacher employed at a language school or centre, as long as you’re effectively teaching them.

Getting Private English Tutorials with Superprof

To learn English, you could always sign up to a language school in the Glasgow area. There are a few schools worth checking out. Of course, an English-language school or language centre could also be useful for those struggling with their mother tongue.

But what’s better than having your own teacher or tutor come to your house to help you with your English? Whether they’re students at a nearby university looking for some extra cash or qualified and experienced tutors who’ve made their careers from tailoring classes to their students, you can’t beat the benefits of private in-home tuition.

The advantage of private tutorials with a tutor from Superprof is that they can schedule their lessons around your own timetable; you won't need to take days off or leave work early to get to them, you can schedule them into your free time and holidays. Students can get tutorials in the evenings, summer, or any time throughout the day. As independent tutors, the tutors on Superprof can pick any schedule that works for them and their student.

You just have to choose the right tutor in terms of their rates, conditions, qualifications, experience, etc. and you’re ready to go! Additionally, private tutorials can be a lot more fun and a lot more relaxed than your traditional language classes at school or university.