When a neutral, international language is generally learnt, English language speakers too will need to learn it. This would place everyone in a more equitable relationship, and would facilitate a reciprocal and multidirectional cultural exchange.
The costs of the current inequalities attributable to the hegemony of English have been spelt out, in the sphere of teaching, by François Grin,
professor of economics at the University of Geneva.
For example, every year, USA saves 16 billion dollars, because its expenditure on the teaching of other languages is only symbolic. This figure represents between 1/3 and 1/2 of its budget for research and education, the basis for scientific, technological and military development, to which other countries learning or practising English contribute indirectly.
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