1. INTRODUCTION
English has spread widely all over the world, first because of the influence of the British Empire and, second due to the pre-eminence of North American influence in the world. In Europe, English has advanced as an international language especially after World War II, leaving behind other preeminent languages such as French.
English is now used by millions of speakers for a number of communicative functions across Europe. It has become the preferred language in a number of ambits like international business or EU institutions. Time and again it is also the language chosen for academic discussion as most scholars face the need to read and publish in English for international diffusion.
English is also directly influencing other European languages at different levels but it is especially obvious in the field of technical terms – lexical borrowings are often introduced in many languages without the slightest adaptation. English seems to have been adopted as the language of globalization these days as the language of global culture and international economy (Graddol, D. 1997: 4).
Proficiency in English is seen as a desirable goal for youngsters and elderly people in all EU countries and in many parts of the world, to the point of equating inability in the use of English to disability. A better knowledge of European modern languages will facilitate communication and interaction among Europeans and will promote mobility and mutual understanding.
The EU has already taken some action regarding the second/foreign language teaching and learning within the member states, and in a White Paper published in 1995 (Teaching and learning: towards the learning society) it is stated as a general objective that everyone, irrespective of his/her academic training should gain proficiency in two languages apart from their mother tongue so that they can communicate in those languages. It supports that “Proficiency in languages helps to build up the feeling of being European with all its cultural wealth and diversity and of understanding between the citizens of Europe” (White paper 1995: 47).
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages is a document that provides a practical tool for establishing certain standards at successive stages of learning and evaluating language knowledge. It aims at providing the basis for setting common
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standards within the EU at an international level and supplies the basis for the mutual recognition of language qualifications within the EU. The Framework describes: a) The competences necessary for communication;
b) The related knowledge and skills and
c) The situations and domains of communication.