By 2050, the lion's share of the world's wealth will be held by Asia. The trading days of the three global financial centres span the world. In the coming decades three major zones of economic activity may emerge. Russia will be in a unique position in spanning two of them. Such a shift in the balance of power and influence in the world will not be driven just by economics.
Statistics show that western countries are ageing.
MTV, the hip 'place to be' that covers the globe by satellite, is recognising and responding to youth style by localising its programming. This forms part of a quiet revolution which has taken place in global satellite broadcasting during the past 18 months, away from English into local languages. It seems the case, that even though more people in the world are using and learning English for different purposes, British ELT providers can no longer assume pre-eminence in the market. Soon, the number of speakers of English as a second language will outstrip native speakers. Already, countries which have been thought of as recipients of English language teachers and educational services from Britain are training their own teachers and exporting English language services to neighbouring countries.