Britain's prime minister, Gordon Brown, has announced "a boost to English language learning, teaching and training facilities for people throughout the world".
"I want Britain to make a new gift to the world", he said in his You Tube announcement.
"My plan is that in the next 10 years at least 1 billion more people in the villages, towns and cities of every continent will have access to resources, materials and qualifications from the UK," said Brown. "I believe that, with the right help, we will have a situation by 2025 where the number of English speakers in China exceeds the number of speakers of English as a first language in all of the rest of the world," he added.
Oh well. If it happens (he can talk the talk, but can he walk the walk) maybe I can retire.