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Whatever your opinion on linguistic imperialism, the facts don’t lie: English remains one of the world’s most popular languages. It is the official language of 53 countries, including Rwanda, the Caribbean and – most intriguingly – the tiny island of Kiribati, located in the Pacific Ocean. Overall it is estimated that there are between 500 million and 1.8 billion English speakers in the world (with up to 1.4 billion of these speaking English as a foreign language).

This last figure is particularly telling: whilst English may be the official tongue of many sovereign states, its longevity is mostly down to its enduring popularity as a teaching subject in non-English native countries. From Hungary to Helmand, the English language’s journey around the globe tells us where Western dominance is most economically and politically pervasive. In many ways it is also the language of capitalism – and as this system becomes ever more global, and even virtual, so too then spread of English continues.

Staying ahead as an English teacher means keeping up with the trends. A quick look for jobs in education, on sites like Reed.co.uk, just go to show how in Britain and abroad, are focussed on teaching English as a foreign language. With this in mind, it really is worth considering another qualification – such as TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) or DELTA (the Diploma of the same qualification).

It is possible to take these courses either at home or abroad – as classes and face-to-face teaching practice is a natural complement to the training. However, there have been recent advances which allow you to gain at TEFL qualification online. Both CELTA and TEFL are appropriate to those new to teaching, and are widely recognised basic qualifications which are suited to those looking to travel or work with foreign nationals in the UK.

DELTA is aimed at qualified or experienced teachers who have already had some experience with teaching English as a foreign language. It is this qualification which often has the edge when competing for jobs at home and abroad – like CELTA, it is administered and marked by the University of Cambridge; it also shows commitment and continued improvement in the job.