English is the leading international language. In different countries around the globe, English is acquired as the mother tongue, in others it’s used as a second language. Some nations use Englishastheirofficiallanguage, (26)performingthefunctionofadministration;inothersit’s usedasaninternationallanguageforbusiness,commerceandindustry. What factors and forces have led to the (27)spread of English? Why is English now considered to be so prestigious that, across the globe, individuals and societies feel (28) disadvantaged if they do not have competence in this language? How has English changed through 1,500 years? These are some of the questions that you(29)investigate when you study English. YoualsoexaminetheimmensevariabilityofEnglishand(30)cometounderstandhowit’s used as a symbol of both individual identity and social connection. You develop in-depth knowledgeofthe (31)intricatestructureofthelanguage.Whydosomenon-nativespeakersof Englishclaimthatit’sadifficultlanguagetolearn,whileinfants(32)bornintoEnglishspeaking communitiesacquiretheirlanguagebeforetheylearntouseforksandknives?AttheUniversityof Sussex, you are introduced to the nature and grammar of English in all its aspects. This (33) involves the study of sound structures, the formation of words, the sequencing of words and the construction of meaning, as well as examination of the theories explaining these aspects of English usage. You are (34)encouraged to develop your own individual responses to various practical and theoretical issues, which are raised by studying how speakers and writers (35) employEnglishforawidevarietyofpurposes