GLOBAL ENGLISH, EDUCATION, AND YOUTH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: LINGUISTIC AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE IN SERBIA
GLOBAL ENGLISH, EDUCATION, AND YOUTH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: LINGUISTIC AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE IN SERBIA

Summary/Abstract: English, as a global language, has expanded rapidly since the late 20th century, profoundly impacting local languages and cultures. Today, English fluency is regarded as essential for success, especially among young professionals and emerging leaders. The widespread adoption of English as a foreign, second, and global language is particularly evident in education and business, where it drives socio-economic transformation worldwide. In countries with minor languages like Serbian, this transformation raises critical questions about linguistic identity and cultural sustainability. The increasing reliance on English as a lingua franca shapes industrial, scientific, and technological development in small nations. Simultaneously, young people’s adaptability and innovative perspectives contribute significantly to evolving standards of business professionalism. This study investigates how English language education shapes the professional competencies of young people in Serbia within the broader context of European linguistic and economic integration. The European Union requires both member and aspiring member states to align with EU standards across education, economic development, and the exchange of knowledge in scientific and productive sectors. Drawing on theoretical frameworks from linguistic ecology, globalization studies, and entrepreneurship research, this article examines how English proficiency, educational policies, and entrepreneurial development shape a new generation of globally competent young professionals. Statistical data on foreign language learning, English as a lingua franca, and youth entrepreneurship in Serbia are combined with academic research on language policy, education, and youth professional development. The study proposes a conceptual model of the Serbian linguistic ecosystem, highlighting the interaction between the Serbian language, as the national linguistic core, and English as a global communicative tool. Additionally, the article introduces a model describing the development of business professionalism among young people in Serbia. The model emerges from the interaction of education, institutional support, and global economic influences. The findings highlight that balanced linguistic and educational policies are essential for enabling young professionals to participate successfully in international economic and academic networks while preserving national linguistic and cultural identity.

• Details
• Contents