English is also used as an important international language in may other countries, like China and Japan. People in these countries use it for business, and travelers to these countries use English when they get there. Other people may learn English because they enjoy reading books in English, listening to Britain or American music or watching American films.

　　English has changed a lot over the years and still goes on changing. It is no longer right to talk about British English or American English if the speakers come or don't come from those countries. People in Japan or Korea, for example, may use the American spelling but may not sound like Americans.

　　English will be the most widely used language in the world in the 21st century. This language no longer belongs to British, American or Australian speakers. It belongs to anyone in the world. So, as a middle-school student of English today, think about how you can use this language. After you leave school, you will almost certainly need it.

(1) In how many countries is English spoken as a first language in the world?

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