English has become an internationally spoken language largely because of the size of the British Empire. The British explored the globe, settled in numerous regions such as Africa, Asia, Australia and North America. Although the empire is no more, a legacy of English language was left with the countries. At the same time, England was one of the most active trading countries in world. Traders in other countries found it beneficial to learn English to develop trade links and do business with the British.
Of the countries once in the British Empire, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, numerous African countries as well as many smaller countries and islands still use English as the main language. English is accepted as the main international language because of the wide use of it and because of the number of large trading nations today that speak English as a first language.