Educational Media Reviews Online

These three DVDs, in a very short time period, tell the story of how the English language developed, and why it has become the "language of choice and use" as a global communication tool. The first DVD, The Rise of English, documents the survival of the English language in its earliest form, Anglo-Saxon, and how it left the British Isles as that nation grew as a world power through trade and conquest. Even after the British Empire collapsed and left many of the countries that it had taken over, the English language continued to remain as the major form of communication, even sometimes displacing the native language. The second DVD, Future of English, examines the many variants that the English language has spawned in recent years, including Singlish in Singapore and Hinglish in India, as well as many countries' resistance to any use of the English language at all. The third DVD, A Global Language, looks at the importance of using and knowing English for foreign students as a way to be successful and strong in today's global market, while also documenting how many countries feel that their cultural values and history are being lost by the use of English as a common tongue. These videos are a great quick way to show today's students the history and reach of the English language, and its effect on other countries and their identity.