
Prehistoric or Primitive (5th to 7th Century) – available literature or documentation referencing this period is not available aside from limited examples of Anglo-Saxon runes.Old English can be further subdivided into the following: Īlbert Baugh, a notable English professor at the University of Pennsylvania notes amongst his published works that around 85% of Old English is no longer in use however, surviving elements form the basis of the Modern English language today. The word England and English originated from the Old English word Engla-land, literally meaning “the land of the Angles” where they spoke Englisc. It must be noted that the English language we know and study through various English language courses today had yet to be created as the inhabitants of Britain spoke various dialect of the Celtic language.ĭuring the invasion, the native Britons were driven north and west into lands we now refer to as Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. Three Germanic tribes, the Jutes, Saxons and Angles were seeking new lands to conquer, and crossed over from the North Sea. While English grammar does play a part when taking courses to improve English overall, it is but a small part of the overall curriculum where one becomes immersed in a history that was partly influenced by myths, battles, and legends on one hand, and the everyday workings of its various social class on the other.Īccording to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the English language itself really took off with the invasion of Britain during the 5th century. Many of you will be forgiven for thinking that studying an English Language course consists of English grammar more than anything else.



Quirks and inconsistencies aside, the history surrounding its monumental rise is both a fascinating and rich one, and while we promise to be brief, you just might pick up a thing or two that may stimulate your interest in studying English with us here at Oxford International English Schools. Regardless of the many languages one is fortunate to be fluent in, English takes its place as one of the world’s predominant forms of communication with its influences extending over as much as +2 billion people globally.
