An overview of the use of English throughout the World

It is different the role that the English language has in all the different countries over the world. However, all countries can be divide up according to whether English is the native language there, the second language or a foreign language. Kachru has divided the English-speaking countries of the world into three types:

- The inner circle: they are the countries which traditionally have got the roots of the English as a native language, and they are Great Britain, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

- The outer circle: it is also called the extended circle and they are the countries which have not initially the English as a native language, but adopted it as an official language when they were conquered by the English people. They are Singapore, India, etc.

- The expanding circle: they are the countries which have never been conquered by English people but which recognize the importance of English over the world. They have English as a foreign language and they are China, Poland, etc.